Base

ABSTRACT

A base includes a main plate-shaped portion including a first plate-shaped portion and a pair of second plate-shaped portions, a first folding portion provided on a first virtual line, a second folding portion provided on a second virtual line, two first bottom surface portions that are each provided, in the main plate-shaped portion, between a central position of the first virtual line and each of two intersection points, two second bottom surface portions that are each provided, in the main plate-shaped portion, between a central position of the second virtual line and each of two intersection points, a first side surface portion provided between the two first bottom surface portions, on the first virtual line in the main plate-shaped portion, and a second side surface portion provided between the two second bottom surface portions, on the second virtual line in the main plate-shaped portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2013-025017 filed on Feb. 12, 2013 and 2013-100554 filed May 10, 2013. The contents of the foregoing applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a base that is packaged together with an object.

A packaging device is known that packages an object. For example, a known packaging device can convey an object using a conveyor and can cover the object with a film in the process of conveying the object. The packaging device can use a heater to heat the film and can bond overlapped sections of the film. The object can be packaged through the above-described processes.

SUMMARY

In the above-described packaging device, in the process in which the object is conveyed by the conveyor and is covered by the film, a hand of a user or a sleeve of clothes may be caught between the packaging device and the object or a strap that is worn around the neck of the user may become caught on the object.

Embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide a base on which an object is placed and which is capable of inhibiting a hand of a user or a sleeve of clothes from being caught between a packaging device and the object, and inhibiting a strap that is worn around the neck of the user from becoming caught on the object.

Embodiments provide a base that includes a main plate-shaped portion, a first folding portion, a second folding portion, two first bottom surface portions, two second bottom surface portions, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion. The main plate-shaped portion includes a first plate-shaped portion and a pair of second plate-shaped portions. The main plate-shaped portion has an octagonal shape and includes a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, and four inclined portions. The first side and the second side face each other. The third side and the fourth side face each other in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the first side and the second side face each other. The first plate-shaped portion is a section, of the main plate-shaped portion, that is located between a first virtual line and a second virtual line. The first virtual line is a virtual straight line that extends between the first side and the second side. The second virtual line is a virtual straight line that extends between the first side and the second side and is different from the first virtual line. One of the pair of second plate-shaped portions is a section, of the main plate-shaped portion, that is connected to the first plate-shaped portion at the first virtual line. The other of the pair of second plate-shaped portions is a section, of the main plate-shaped portion, that is connected to the first plate-shaped portion at the second virtual line. The pair of second plate-shaped portions includes the four inclined portions. The four inclined portions connect the first side and the third side, connect the first side and the fourth side, connect the second side and the third side, and connect the second side and the fourth side. The first folding portion is provided on the first virtual line. The first folding portion is a portion at which the main plate-shaped portion that is configured to be foldable. The second folding portion is provided on the second virtual line. The second folding portion is a portion at which the main plate-shaped portion that is configured to be foldable. The two first bottom surface portions are each provided, in the main plate-shaped portion, between a central position of the first virtual line and each of two intersection points at which the first virtual line intersects the first side and the second side. Each of the two first bottom surface portions includes a pair of first bottom surface cuts and a second bottom surface cut. The pair of first bottom surface cuts are two cuts that extend in a direction from the first folding portion toward the second folding portion. The second bottom surface cut is a cut that extends between the pair of first bottom surface cuts. The second bottom surface cut is parallel to the first virtual line. A shape of a portion that is surrounded by the pair of first bottom surface cuts, the second bottom surface cut, and the first virtual line is trapezoidal. The two second bottom surface portions are each provided, in the main plate-shaped portion, between a central position of the second virtual line and each of two intersection points at which the second virtual line intersects the first side and the second side. Each of the two second bottom surface portions includes a pair of third bottom surface cuts and a fourth bottom surface cut. The pair of third bottom surface cuts are two cuts that extend in a direction from the second folding portion toward the first folding portion. The fourth bottom surface cut is a cut that extends between the pair of third bottom surface cuts. The fourth bottom surface cut is parallel to the second virtual line. A shape of a portion that is surrounded by the pair of third bottom surface cuts, the fourth bottom surface cut, and the second virtual line is trapezoidal. The first side surface portion is provided between the two first bottom surface portions, on the first virtual line in the main plate-shaped portion. The first side surface portion includes a pair of first side surface cuts and a second side surface cut. The pair of first side surface cuts are two cuts that extend from the first folding portion to a side that is opposite to the second folding portion. The second side surface cut is a cut that extends between the pair of first side surface cuts. The second side surface portion is provided between the two second bottom surface portions, on the second virtual line in the main plate-shaped portion. The second side surface portion includes a pair of third side surface cuts and a fourth side surface cut. The pair of third side surface cuts are two cuts that extend from the second folding portion to a side that is opposite to the first folding portion. The fourth side surface cut is a cut that extends between the pair of third side surface cuts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a packaging device (in a state in which a first receiving tray and a second receiving tray are opened);

FIG. 2 is another oblique view of the packaging device (in the state in which the first receiving tray and the second receiving tray are opened);

FIG. 3 is an oblique view of the packaging device (in a state in which the first receiving tray and the second receiving tray are closed);

FIG. 4 is an oblique view of a support portion, a heating portion, and a rotation inhibiting portion;

FIG. 5 is another oblique view of the support portion, the heating portion, and the rotation inhibiting portion;

FIG. 6 is a right side view showing a state in which the support portion is located at its highest position;

FIG. 7 is a right side view showing a state in which the support portion is located at its lowest position;

FIG. 8 is an exploded oblique view of the heating portion;

FIG. 9 is an oblique view of the heating portion;

FIG. 10 is an oblique view of the rotation inhibiting portion;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the rotation inhibiting portion (in a state in which a stopper has moved to the upstream side);

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the rotation inhibiting portion (in a state in which the stopper has moved to the downstream side);

FIG. 13 is an enlarged oblique view of the heating portion, a lid portion, and the rotation inhibiting portion;

FIG. 14 is another enlarged oblique view of the heating portion, the lid portion, and the rotation inhibiting portion;

FIG. 15 is yet another enlarged oblique view of the heating portion, the lid portion, and the rotation inhibiting portion;

FIG. 16 is a right side view of the heating portion, the lid portion, and the rotation inhibiting portion;

FIG. 17 is an oblique view of a conveyance mechanism;

FIG. 18 is a right side view of the conveyance mechanism;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged oblique view of a first conveyance portion and a second conveyance portion;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged right side view of the downstream side of the conveyance mechanism;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the first conveyance portion and the second conveyance portion;

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a base (in an unbent state)

FIG. 23 is an oblique view of the base (in a bent state) as viewed from above;

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the base (in the bent state);

FIG. 25 is a diagram of the base (in the bent state) as viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction;

FIG. 26 is a left side view of the base (in the bent state);

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the base (in the unbent state);

FIG. 28 is an oblique view of the base (in the bent state) as viewed from below;

FIG. 29 is a plan view of the base when the base has been placed on the second receiving tray;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged oblique view of the first conveyance portion and the second conveyance portion (in a state in which the base has been placed on the second receiving tray);

FIG. 31 is a side view showing the state of the first conveyance portion when the base is set on the first conveyance portion and the second conveyance portion;

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the packaging device;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of packaging processing;

FIG. 34 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 35 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 36 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 37 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 38 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 39 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 40 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 41 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 42 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 43 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing;

FIG. 44 is a figure showing a packaging step in the packaging processing; and

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing the base that is contained in a packaging box, as viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction;

FIG. 46 is an oblique view of the packaging device (in a state in which the first receiving tray and the second receiving tray are opened) on which an upper case and a lower case have been mounted;

FIG. 47 is a right side view of the packaging device on which the upper case and the lower case have been mounted;

FIG. 48 is an oblique view of the base (in a bent state) according to a modified example, as viewed from the upper side; and

FIG. 49 is an oblique view of the base (in the bent state) according to the modified example, as viewed from the lower side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawings. An overview of a packaging device 1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The packaging device 1 can cover the upper side of an object 3 (refer to FIG. 34 etc.) that is placed on a base 2 (refer to FIG. 23 etc.), such as a piece of board, with a film 24 (refer to FIG. 34 etc.), and can fix the object 3 onto the base 2, thus packaging the object 3. Hereinafter, packaging the object 3 in this manner is referred to as “packaging the base 2 and the object 3”. The upper side, the lower side, the lower right side, and the upper left side of FIG. 1 are respectively the upper side, the lower side, the right side, and the left side of the packaging device 1. The upper right side and the lower left side of FIG. 1 are respectively the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction. The packaging device 1 can package the base 2 and the object 3 while conveying the base 2 from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

The packaging device 1 includes side plate portions 111 and 112. The side plate portions 111 and 112 respectively extend upward from the right and left edges of a bottom portion 10, which is rectangular in a plan view. The side plate portion 111 is provided on the right side of the packaging device 1. The side plate portion 112 is provided on the left side of the packaging device 1. Hereinafter, the side plate portions 111 and 112 are also collectively referred to as “side plate portions 11”. The side plate portions 11 are shaped as substantially rectangular plates whose long sides extend in the up-down direction. The inner surfaces of the side plate portions 111 and 112 face each other. As shown in FIG. 1, a plate-shaped bridge portion 117 is mounted between the downstream side end of the side plate portion 111 and the downstream side end of the side plate portion 112. As shown in FIG. 2, a plate-shaped bridge portion 118 is mounted between the upstream side edge of the side plate portion 111 and the upstream side edge of the side plate portion 112. A film cassette 21 is disposed between the bridge portions 117 and 118. The film cassette 21 is supported between the side plate portions 111 and 112.

A protruding portion 113 that protrudes to the right is provided on the right side surface of the side plate portion 111. A protruding portion 114 that protrudes to the left is provided on the left side surface of the side plate portion 112. Each of the protruding portions 113 and 114 is a housing that extends in the up-down direction. A carriage (not shown in the drawings) that can be driven by rotation of a first motor 221 (refer to FIG. 32) is provided inside each of the protruding portions 113 and 114. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage provided inside the protruding portion 113 connects to a support plate portion 351 on the upstream side of the protruding portion 113. The support plate portion 351 is a plate-shaped member and extends to the right from a support portion 341 (which will be described below). The carriage provided inside the protruding portion 114 connects to a support plate portion 352 on the upstream side of the protruding portion 114. The support plate portion 352 is a plate-shaped member and extends to the left from a support portion 342 (which will be described below). The first motor 221 can cause the support portions 341 and 342, which respectively connect to the support plates 351 and 352 via the carriages, to move up and down.

A protruding portion 115 that protrudes to the right is provided on the right side surface of the side plate portion 111, on the downstream side of the protruding portion 113. A protruding portion 116 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 5) that protrudes to the left is provided on the left side surface of the side plate portion 112, on the downstream side of the protruding portion 114. A fifth motor 225 (refer to FIG. 32) is provided inside the protruding portion 115. The fifth motor 225 can drive a carriage (not shown in the drawings) that is provided between the protruding portions 115 and 116. The carriage can move a cutting portion 77 (refer to FIG. 5) in the left-right direction.

The film cassette 21 may internally contain a film roll 22 (refer to FIG. 5) around which the film 24 is wound. A discharge opening (not shown in the drawings) is provided on the lower side of the film cassette 21. The discharge opening extends across the width of the film 24 that is wound around the film roll 22. The film 24 that is fed out from the film roll 22 may be discharged downward from the discharge opening. The base 2 on which the object 3 has been placed may be conveyed from the upstream side toward the downstream side, passing below the film cassette 21 and between the side plate portions 111 and 112, and the base 2 and the object 3 may be packaged with the film 24 that is fed out from the film roll 22.

The side plate portions 111 and 112 are each provided with a clutch spring on a portion that supports the film cassette 21. The clutch spring may apply a torque in the opposite direction from the direction in which the film roll 22 rotates when the film 24 is discharged from the film cassette 21.

The downstream side edges of the side plate portions 11 support a first receiving tray 12 such that the first receiving tray 12 can be swung up and down. In a plan view, the first receiving tray 12 has a substantially rectangular box shape whose short sides extend in the left-right direction. The first receiving tray 12 can be swung up and down, with the upstream end of the first receiving tray 12 serving as a pivot point. The top surface of the first receiving tray 12 may receive the base 2 and the object 3 for which the packaging has been completed. Hereinafter, the top surface of the first receiving tray 12 is referred to as the “receiving surface”.

A guide portion 161 is provided on the right edge and on the upstream side of the first receiving tray 12. The guide portion 161 includes a first extending portion 162, a second extending portion 163, and a protruding portion 164. The first extending portion 162 is a plate-shaped member that extends to the right from the right edge of the first receiving tray 12. The second extending portion 163 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member in a side view, and extends upward from the right edge of the first extending portion 162. The protruding portion 164 is a plate-shaped member that protrudes to the left from the left side surface of the second extending portion 163. A guide portion 165 is provided on the left edge and on the upstream side of the first receiving tray 12. The guide portion 165 includes a first extending portion 166, a second extending portion 167, and a protruding portion 168. The first extending portion 166 is a plate-shaped member that extends to the left from the left edge of the first receiving tray 12. The second extending portion 167 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member in a side view, and extends upward from the left edge of the first extending portion 166. The protruding portion 168 is a plate-shaped member that protrudes to the right from the right side surface of the second extending portion 167. Hereinafter, the guide portions 161 and 165 are also collectively referred to as “guide portions 16”.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upstream side edges of the side plate portions 11 support a second receiving tray 13 such that the second receiving tray 13 can be swung up and down. In a plan view, the second receiving tray 13 has a substantially rectangular box shape whose short sides extend in the left-right direction. The second receiving tray 13 can be swung up and down, with the upstream end of the second receiving tray 13 serving as a pivot point. The top surface of the second receiving tray 13 may receive the base 2 that is conveyed from the upstream side between the side plate portions 111 and 112. Hereinafter, the top surface of the second receiving tray 13 is referred to as the “receiving surface”, in the same manner as in the case of the first receiving tray 12.

A guide portion 171 is provided on the right edge and on the downstream side of the second receiving tray 13. The guide portion 171 includes a first extending portion 172, a second extending portion 173, and a protruding portion 174. The first extending portion 172 is a plate-shaped member that extends to the right from the right edge of the second receiving tray 13. The second extending portion 173 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member in a side view, and extends upward from the right edge of the first extending portion 172. The protruding portion 174 protrudes to the left from the left side surface of the second extending portion 173. A guide portion 175 is provided on the left edge and on the downstream side of the second receiving tray 13. The guide portion 175 includes a first extending portion 176, a second extending portion 177, and a protruding portion 178. The first extending portion 176 is a plate-shaped member that extends to the left from the left edge of the second receiving tray 13. The second extending portion 177 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member in a side view, and extends upward from the left edge of the first extending portion 176. The protruding portion 178 is a plate-shaped member that protrudes to the right from the right side surface of the second extending portion 177. Hereinafter, the guide portions 171 and 175 are also collectively referred to as “guide portions 17”.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 have been swung down and the receiving surface of the first receiving tray 12 and the receiving surface of the second receiving tray 13 have become substantially horizontal, the receiving surface of the first receiving tray 12 and the receiving surface of the second receiving tray 13 form the same plane. A leg portion 121 supports, from below, the first receiving tray 12 whose receiving surface has become horizontal. A leg portion 131 supports, from below, the second receiving tray 13 whose receiving surface has become horizontal. The base 2 on which the object 3 has been placed may be conveyed from the upstream side toward the downstream side on the plane that is formed by the receiving surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13. Hereinafter, a path section along which the base 2 is conveyed on the plane that is formed by the receiving surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 is referred to as a “conveyance path 103” (refer to FIGS. 6 and 7).

A user may switch the receiving surfaces to a substantially horizontal orientation, by manually swinging the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 downward. In this state, it is possible to package the base 2 and the object 3 with the film 24. The receiving surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 form the same plane. Therefore, it is possible to smoothly convey the base 2. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the user may also switch the receiving surfaces to a vertical orientation by manually swinging the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 upward. In this state, the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 block the conveyance path between the side plate portions 111 and 112. Thus, it is possible to reduce the space necessary to install the packaging device 1. Further, in this state, the packaging device 1 can easily be carried around.

Endless belts 511 and 512 are respectively provided on the right edges and the left edges of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13. The belt 511 is provided around pulleys 521, 523 to 525 and 527 (refer to FIG. 17). The belt 512 is provided around pulleys 533 to 535 and pulleys (not shown in the drawings). Hereinafter, the belts 511 and 512 are also collectively referred to as “belts 51”. The belts 51 are made of a composite material of fiber and urethane rubber or the like, and are elastically deformable. Sections of the belts 51 that are positioned on side surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 are covered by a pair of covers 122 from both the left and right sides. Sections of the belts 51 that are positioned on side surfaces of the second receiving tray 13 are covered by a pair of covers 132 from both the left and right sides.

The belts 51 may be rotated by a second motor 222 (refer to FIG. 32). Conveyance portions 60 (refer to FIG. 17) of the belts 51 may convey the base 2 from the upstream side to the downstream side. The conveyance portions 60 are provided on the outer side surfaces on the belts 51. Hereinafter, the belts 51, the conveyance portions 60, and the second motor 222 are also collectively referred to as a “conveyance mechanism 50” (refer to FIG. 17). The conveyance mechanism 50 will be described in detail below.

The internal structure of the packaging device 1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. In FIG. 4, the film roll 22 is omitted in order to facilitate understanding. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the packaging device 1 also includes a base guide roller 71. The base guide roller 71 is provided on the upstream side of the section between the side plate portions 111 and 112 (refer to FIG. 1) and below the conveyance path 103. The base guide roller 71 includes a shaft portion 711 and a plurality of roller portions 712. The shaft portion 711 extends in the left-right direction. The plurality of roller portions 712 are provided at equal intervals in the axial direction of the shaft portion 711. The plurality of roller portions 712 are in contact with the conveyance path 103 from below. As the base 2 is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveyance path 103, the base guide roller 71 may support the base 2 from below between the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13, and may guide the base 2 from the second receiving tray 13 to the first receiving tray 12.

The packaging device 1 also includes a cylinder-shaped holding roller 72. The holding roller 72 extends in the left-right direction. The right end of the holding roller 72 is rotatably supported by a holding portion 781. The left end of the holding roller 72 is rotatably supported by a holding portion 782. Hereinafter, the holding portions 781 and 782 are also collectively referred to as “holding portions 78”. The holding portions 78 may be pivoted by a sixth motor 226 (refer to FIG. 32). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pivoting of the holding portions 78 may switch the holding roller 72 between a state in which the holding roller 72 is positioned close to the downstream side of the base guide roller 71 (refer to FIG. 6) and a state in which the holding roller 72 has been moved downward, away from the base guide roller 71 (refer to FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 6, when the holding roller 72 is positioned close to the downstream side of the base guide roller 71, the holding roller 72 is in contact with the conveyance path 103 from below. In this state, the holding roller 72 can hold the film 24 that has been fed out from the film cassette 21 such that the film 24 is clamped between the holding roller 72 and the base guide roller 71.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the packaging device 1 also includes a heating portion 40. The top surface of the heating portion 40 is provided with heaters 411. The heating portion 40 may be moved up and down by a third motor 223 (refer to FIG. 32). FIGS. 4 and 5 show a state in which the heating portion 40 has been moved upward. In a state in which the heating portion 40 has been moved upward and the holding roller 72 is positioned on the downstream side of the base guide roller 71, the heating portion 40 is positioned on the downstream side of the holding roller 72. In the state in which the heating portion 40 has been moved upward, the heaters 411 come close to the conveyance path 103 from below. In this state, the heaters 411 may heat and melt the film 24 that has been fed out from the film cassette 21, thus bonding the film 24 to the base 2. FIGS. 6 and 7 show a state in which the heating portion 40 has been moved downward. In a state in which the heating portion 40 has been moved downward and the holding roller 72 has been moved downward, away from the base guide roller 71, the heating portion 40 is positioned on the upstream side of the holding roller 72. In this state, a lid portion 46, which may be pivoted, covers the heaters 411 from above. The heating portion 40 will be described in more detail below.

The packaging device 1 also includes the cutting portion 77. The cutting portion 77 is provided with a blade portion 771 (refer to FIG. 40) that protrudes upward from the top surface of the cutting portion 77. The blade portion 771 extends in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 5, a guide rail 74 passes through the cutting portion 77. The guide rail 74 extends in the left-right direction on the downstream side of the heating portion 40 that has been moved upward. The right end and the left end of the guide rail 74 are respectively positioned inside the protruding portions 115 and 116. The carriage (not shown in the drawings) is positioned on the downstream side of the guide rail 74. The carriage may be driven by the fifth motor 225 (refer to FIG. 32) that is provided inside the protruding portion 115. The carriage is connected to the cutting portion 77. When the fifth motor 225 drives the carriage, the cutting portion 77 is moved in the left-right direction along the guide rail 74. In this way, the blade portion 771 can cut across the width of the film 24.

The packaging device 1 also includes a sensor 204 (refer to FIG. 32) on the inner side of the side plate portion 111. A reflecting plate is provided on the outer side surface of the belt 51. The sensor 204 is a non-contact type position sensor that can detect the reflecting plate. The sensor 204 is positioned below the belt 51 and can emit light upward. The sensor 204 can detect the reflecting plate by detecting the light reflected by the reflecting plate. In a case where the sensor 204 has detected the reflecting plate, the conveyance portions 60 (refer to FIG. 17, to be described below) that are provided on the belts 51 are in a state in which the conveyance portions 60 protrude upward higher than the receiving surface of the second receiving tray 13 (refer to FIG. 17).

The packaging device 1 also includes a guide roller 31, a first auxiliary roller 32, and a second auxiliary roller 33. Hereinafter, the guide roller 31, the first auxiliary roller 32, and the second auxiliary roller 33 are also collectively referred to as “movable rollers 30”. The movable rollers 30 have a cylindrical shape. The movable rollers 30 extend in the left-right direction. The length of each of the movable rollers 30 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the length of each of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 in the left-right direction. The movable rollers 30 each have a cylindrical portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion extends in the left-right direction. The cylindrical portion is provided around a peripheral wall of the shaft portion. The cylindrical portion of the guide roller 31 is made of rubber. The cylindrical portion of the guide roller 31 is fixed to the shaft portion. The cylindrical portions of the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 can be rotated with respect to the shaft portions. The diameters of the cylindrical portions of the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 are substantially the same. The diameter of the cylindrical portion of the guide roller 31 is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion of each of the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33.

The packaging device 1 also includes the support portions 341 and 342. Hereinafter, the support portions 341 and 342 are also collectively referred to as “support portions 34”. The support portions 341 and 342 respectively support the right end and the left end of each of the movable rollers 30. The shaft portion of the guide roller 31 can be rotated with respect to the support portions 34. The shaft portions of the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 are fixed to the support portions 34. The support portions 34 are plate-shaped members having a reverse L shape in a right side view. The guide roller 31 is supported by each of the support portions 341 and 342 at the downstream side end of the section of each of the support portions 341 and 342 that extends in the conveyance direction. The first auxiliary roller 32 is supported by each of the support portions 341 and 342 in the vicinity of and on the upstream side of the position where the guide roller 31 is supported. The second auxiliary roller 33 is supported by each of the support portions 341 and 342 at a position where the section of each of the support portions 341 and 342 that extends in the conveyance direction intersects the section that extends in the up-down direction. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the guide roller 31, the first auxiliary roller 32, and the second auxiliary roller 33 are disposed in that order from the downstream side to the upstream side. The position of the lower edge of the cylindrical portion of the guide roller 31 is substantially the same in the up-down direction as the position of the lower edge of the cylindrical portion of the first auxiliary roller 32. The position of the lower edge of the cylindrical portion of the second auxiliary roller 33 is higher in the up-down direction than the positions of the upper edges of the cylindrical portions of the guide roller 31 and the first auxiliary roller 32.

A plurality of holes that are aligned in the up-down direction are provided in the section of each of the support portions 341 and 342 that extends in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate portion 351 is affixed by screws to the holes that are provided in the section of the support portion 341 that extends in the up-down direction. The support plate portion 351 extends to the right from the right side surface of the support portion 341. The support plate portion 352 is affixed by screws to the holes that are provided in the section of the support portion 342 that extends in the up-down direction. The support plate portion 352 extends to the left from the left side surface of the support portion 342. As described above, the support plate portions 351 and 352 are respectively connected to the carriages provided inside the protruding portions 113 and 114. The carriages may be moved up and down by being driven by the first motor 221 (refer to FIG. 32), thereby moving the support plate portions 351 and 352 up and down. The support portions 34 may thus be moved up and down.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the support portions 34 are located at the highest position. In this state, the section of each of the support portions 341 and 342 that extends in the up-down direction is positioned close to and on the upstream side of the film cassette 21 (refer to FIG. 1) that contains the film roll 22. The section of each of the support portions 341 and 342 that extends in the conveyance direction is positioned below the film cassette 21. The movable rollers 30 are positioned below the film cassette 21.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the support portions 341 and 342 are located at the lowest position. In this state, the section of each of the support portions 341 and 342 that extends in the conveyance direction is positioned below the conveyance path 103. The guide roller 31 is positioned above the guide rail 74 that passes through the cutting portion 77. The blade portion 771 that extends upward from the cutting portion 77 is positioned between the guide roller 31 and the first auxiliary roller 32. The cylindrical portion of the guide roller 31 is in contact with the conveyance path 103 from below. The second auxiliary roller 33 is positioned close to and above the base guide roller 71. The first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 are positioned close to and on the upstream side of a position at which the conveyance path 103 intersects a movement path 104. The movement path 104 is a path of the guide roller 31 that is moved up and down by the movement of the support portions 34. When the guide roller 31 has moved to its lowest position along the movement path 104, the guide roller 31 is positioned below the conveyance path 103. In this case, the conveyance path 103 and the movement path 104 intersect. The position at which the conveyance path 103 intersects the movement path 104 is referred to as an “intersection position 105”.

The orientation of the movement path 104 may be changed. For example, the support portions 34 may be moved in a direction that is inclined with respect to a line that is perpendicular to the conveyance path 103. In this case, the movement path 104 may extend at an angle that is inclined with respect to the line that is perpendicular to the conveyance path 103. The position of the guide roller 31 may be changed to a position other than the position below the film roll 22. For example, the guide roller 31 may be provided below and on the upstream side of the film roll 22, or may be provided below and on the downstream side of the film roll 22.

The material of the cylindrical portions of the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 may be rubber. The cylindrical portions of the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 may be fixed to the shaft portions. The support portions 34 may rotatably support the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33. The shaft portions of the guide roller 31, the first auxiliary roller 32, and the second auxiliary roller 33 may be arranged such that the shaft portions occupy the same substantially horizontal plane.

The packaging device 1 also includes a rotation inhibiting portion 80. In a state in which the support portions 34 are located at the lowest position, the rotation inhibiting portion 80 is located on the downstream side of the guide roller 31 supported by the support portions 34 and on the upstream side of the first receiving tray 12. The rotation inhibiting portion 80 includes a stopper 81. The stopper 81 may be moved in the conveyance direction by being driven by a fourth motor 224 (refer to FIG. 32). When the stopper 81 has been moved to the upstream side in a state in which the support portions 34 are located at the lowest position, the stopper 81 may be located at a position where the stopper 81 is in contact with the guide roller 31 supported by the support portions 34. The stopper 81 can thus inhibit the guide roller 31 from rotating. The rotation inhibiting portion 80 will be described in more detail below.

The heating portion 40 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The heating portion 40 includes three heating units 41, a holding portion 42, and a base portion 43. The heating units 41 may come into contact with the film 24 and may heat the film 24. The holding portion 42 holds the three heating units 41. The base portion 43 supports the holding portion 42 from below. The base portion 43 may transmit the driving force of the third motor 223 to the holding portion 42, and may move the entire heating portion 40 in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, the heating unit 41 includes a main body 413 whose three-dimensional shape is substantially rectangular. The heater 411 is provided on the top surface of the main body 413. The heater 411 is made from a metal plate. The heater 411 is a resistance heating type heater that is heated by supply of an electric current. The heater 411 extends in a straight line in the left-right direction through a section that is substantially in the middle of the top surface of the main body 413 in the conveyance direction. A support portion 414 is provided on the top surface of the main body 413, on the upstream side of the heater 411. The support portion 414 extends in a straight line in the left-right direction along the upstream edge of the top surface of the main body 413. The support portion 414 protrudes upward slightly higher than the top surface of the main body 413. Two springs 412 are provided on the bottom surface of the main body 413. The springs 412 are compression coil springs. The two springs 412 are respectively connected to the right end and the left end of the bottom surface of the main body 413. The two springs 412 are lined up in the left-right direction. Two holes 415 are provided in the downstream side surface of the main body 413.

The holding portion 42 is a plate-shaped member that is bent in a substantially U shape in a side view. A groove 422 that extends in the left-right direction is formed in the holding portion 42. The distance between a plate-shaped portion on the upstream side of the holding portion 42 and a plate-shaped portion on the downstream side of the holding portion 42 is slightly longer than the length in the conveyance direction of the main body 413 of the heating unit 41. The length in the up-down direction of each of the plate-shaped portions on the upstream side and the downstream side of the holding portion 42 is shorter than the length in the up-down direction of the main body 413 of the heating unit 41. Six slotted holes 421 that extend in the up-down direction are provided in the plate-shaped portion on the downstream side of the holding portion 42.

As shown in FIG. 9, the three heating units 41 are arranged in the groove 422 of the holding portion 42. The three heating units 41 are arranged in a straight line in the left-right direction. Screws 44 are screwed into the holes 415 of the main body 413 of each of the heating units 41 from the downstream side through the slotted holes 421 of the holding portion 42. The heating units 41 may be moved up and down over the length, in the up-down direction, of the slotted holes 421. The springs 412 is in contact with the plate-shaped portion on the lower side of the holding portion 42, and urge the main body 413 upward. The top surface of the main body 413 of each of the three heating units 41 protrudes further upward than the upper edges of the plate-shaped portions on the upstream side and the downstream side of the holding portion 42. The top surface of the main body 413 of each of the three heating units 41 may be parallel to the conveyance path 103. The plurality of springs 412 that are provided on the main bodies 413 are arrayed in a straight line in the left-right direction. More specifically, the springs 412 are arrayed in a direction that is orthogonal to the conveyance direction and in a direction that is parallel to the conveyance path 103.

The base portion 43 is provided below the holding portion 42. The base portion 43 supports the holding portion 42 from below. A rack gear 431 is provided on the downstream edge of each of the left and right side surfaces of the base portion 43. Each of the rack gears 431 extends in the up-down direction such that teeth of the rack gears 431 face downstream. The third motor 223 (refer to FIG. 32) is provided above the bottom portion 10 (refer to FIG. 1), in the section between the side plate portions 111 and 112. Each of pinion gears (not shown in the drawings) engages with one of the rack gears 431 and transmits the rotational driving force of the third motor 223 to the rack gear 431. The base portion 43 may be moved in the up-down direction by the rotation of the third motor 223. The holding portion 42 that is provided above the base portion 43, as well as the three heating units 41 (that is, the heating portion 40) that are held by the holding portion 42, may thus also be moved in the up-down direction.

In a state in which the heating portion 40 is located at its highest position by the third motor 223, the top surface of the main body 413 of each of the three heating units 41 is close to the conveyance path 103. Specifically, in a state in which the heating portion 40 has been moved by the third motor 223 and is located at its highest position, the top surface of the main body 413 of each of the three heating units 41 is positioned slightly above the conveyance path 103. The top surface of the support portion 414 is positioned farther above the top surface of the main body 413. On the other hand, in a state in which the heating portion 40 has been moved by the third motor 223 and is located at its lowest position, the top surface of the main body 413 of each of the three heating units 41 is set apart from the conveyance path 103.

The rotation inhibiting portion 80 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12. The rotation inhibiting portion 80 includes a base portion 88. The base portion 88 is a plate-shaped member that is rectangular in a plan view, and whose long sides extend in the left-right direction. The base portion 88 is provided above the bottom portion 10 (refer to FIG. 1) and is fixed in place in the section between the side plate portions 111 and 112 (refer to FIG. 1). A support portion 84 and two shaft support portions 87 are provided on the top surface of the base portion 88. The top surface of the support portion 84 and the top surfaces of the two shaft support portions 87 are covered by a top plate 89 (refer to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5).

The support portion 84 is box-shaped and extends in the left-right direction. The central section of the support portion 84 in the left-right direction is recessed toward the downstream side. A plate 841 that extends in parallel to the bottom surface of the support portion 84 is provided such that the plate 841 extends across the downstream side of the recessed section. A cylindrical protruding portion 85 protrudes upward from the central section of the plate 841 in the left-right direction. Holes 842 that extend through the plate 841 in the conveyance direction are respectively provided in the left end and the right end of the support portion 84. Two support rods 82 extend toward the upstream side from the inner side (in the left-right direction) of sections of the upstream side surfaces of the support portion 84 where the right side hole 842 and the left side hole 842 are respectively provided. The stopper 81 is provided on the upstream side ends of the two support rods 82. The stopper 81 has a rod shape whose cross-sectional shape is square. The stopper 81 extends in the left-right direction. The length of the stopper 81 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the length of the support portion 84 in the left-right direction. A rubber strip 811 is provided on the upstream side surface of the stopper 81.

The two shaft support portions 87 are respectively provided on the left and right ends of the base portion 88. Plate-shaped portions that extend upward are respectively provided on the upstream side and the downstream side of each of the two shaft support portions 87. Each of the plate-shaped portions supports one of an upstream end and a downstream end of one of two shafts 86 that extend in the conveyance direction. Each of the two shafts 86 passes through one of the holes 842 that are provided in the support portion 84. The support portion 84 may be moved in the conveyance direction along the two left and right shafts 86. Springs 83 are respectively interposed between the support portion 84 and the plate-shaped portions provided on the downstream side of the shaft support portions 87. The springs 83 are compression coil springs. The springs 83 urge the support portion 84 to the upstream side.

A cam 851 is provided on the base portion 88. The fourth motor 224 (refer to FIG. 32) is provided below the base portion 88. The cam 851 is connected to a rotating shaft that extends upward from the fourth motor 224. The cam 851 is arranged on the upstream side of the plate 841, in the section of the support portion 84 that is recessed toward the downstream side. The outer circumferential surface of the cam 851 comes into contact with the protruding portion 85 that protrudes upward from the plate 841.

When the cam 851 is rotated as a result of being driven by the fourth motor 224, the position of the support portion 84 switches between the upstream side (refer to FIG. 11) and the downstream side (refer to FIG. 12). Specifically, the switching is performed in the following manner.

As shown in FIG. 11, in a state in which a section of the outer circumferential surface of the cam 851 where the distance from the center to the circumference is short is in close proximity to the protruding portion 85, the support portion 84 is positioned on the upstream side by the urging force of the springs 83. The stopper 81 connected to the support portion 84 is positioned toward the upstream side. From this state, the fourth motor 224 may rotate in the clockwise direction in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 12, a section of the outer circumferential surface of the cam 851 where the distance from the center to the circumference is long may come into contact with the protruding portion 85. The support portion 84 may be moved toward the downstream side against the urging force of the springs 83. The stopper 81 connected to the support portion 84 may be moved toward the downstream side. The stopper 81 may be moved in such a way that the stopper 81 remains parallel to the left-right direction.

When the fourth motor 224 rotates farther in the clockwise direction, the section of outer circumferential surface of the cam 851 where the distance from the center to the circumference is short may come close to the protruding portion 85. The support portion 84 may be moved toward the upstream side by the urging force of the springs 83 (refer to FIG. 11).

As shown in FIG. 13, in a state in which the support portions 34 are located at their lowest position and the stopper 81 is arranged on the upstream side (refer to FIG. 11), the rubber strip 811 of the stopper 81 is located in a position where the rubber strip 811 may be in contact with the cylindrical portion of the guide roller 31. The rubber strip 811 of the stopper 81 may be pressed strongly against the guide roller 31 by the urging of the support portion 84 toward the upstream side by the springs 83. The direction in which the stopper 81 extends is the same as the direction in which the shaft portion of the guide roller 31 extends. Therefore, the rubber strip 811 of the stopper 81 may be pressed evenly against the guide roller 31. The rubber strip 811 has a large coefficient of friction. Therefore, the rotation of the guide roller 31 may be inhibited by the frictional force between the rubber 81 and the guide roller 31. The rotation of the guide roller 31 may be inhibited also by the pressing of the shaft portion of the guide roller 31 against the support portions 34.

On the other hand, in a state in which the stopper 81 is positioned toward the downstream side (refer to FIG. 12), the rubber strip 811 of the stopper 81 separates from the cylindrical portion of the guide roller 31. In this state, the guide roller 31 may be rotated freely.

The lid portion 46 that covers the top surface of the heating portion 40 will be explained. FIG. 14 shows the arrangement of the heating portion 40, the lid portion 46, and the rotation inhibiting portion 80. In FIG. 14, the heating portion 40 is located at its lowest position and the stopper 81 of the rotation inhibiting portion 80 is positioned toward the downstream side. The holding portions 78 may pivot and the holding roller 72 may come close to the base guide roller 71. The lid portion 46 covers the top surfaces of the three heating units 41 (refer to FIG. 9) when the heating portion 40 is located at its lowest position. The lid portion 46 is a plate-shaped member having a substantially rectangular shape whose long sides extend in the left-right direction. In a state in which the lid portion 46 covers the top surfaces of the heating units 41, a flat surface of the lid portion 46 becomes substantially horizontal.

A pivot shaft 461 is provided on each of the left and right ends of the lid portion 46, on the upstream side of the lid portion 46 when the lid portion 46 is in a substantially horizontal state. The pivot shafts 461 axially support the lid portion 46 such that the lid portion 46 may pivot with respect to a plate-shaped member that extends in the up-down direction on the upstream side of the heating portion 40. The pivot shafts 461 extend in the left-right direction. The pivot shafts 461 support the lid portion 46 such that the opposite side of the lid portion 46 from the side that is axially supported by the pivot shafts 461 may be moved up and down. Hereinafter, the edge of the lid portion 46 on the opposite side of the lid portion 46 from the side that is axially supported by the pivot shafts 461, namely, the downstream side edge of the lid portion 46 when the lid portion 46 is in the substantially horizontal state, is referred to as the “opposite side edge”.

A spring 462 is provided on each of the pivot shafts 461. The springs 462 downwardly urge the opposite side edge of the lid portion 46. The lid portion 46 is pressed against the top surfaces of the three heating units 41 when the heating portion 40 is located at its lowest position. The position of the pivot shafts 461 of the lid portion 46 is substantially the same in the up-down direction as the position of the top surfaces of the three heating units 41 of the heating portion 40 that is located at its lowest position. Therefore, in the state in which the top surfaces of the heating units 41 are covered by the lid portion 46, the flat surface of the lid portion 46 becomes substantially horizontal. When the lid portion 46 is in the substantially horizontal state, the opposite side edge of the lid portion 46 is slightly bent obliquely upward.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the support portion 414 is provided on the top surface of the main body 413 of each of the three heating units 41, and slightly protrudes upward with respect to the heater 411. Therefore, when the heating portion 40 is located at its lowest position and the lid portion 46 is pressed against the top surface of each of the three heating units 41, the lid portion 46 is in contact with the support portions 414. The lid portion 46 is not directly in contact with the heaters 411.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an arrangement of the heating portion 40 and the rotation inhibiting portion 80 when the heating portion 40 is moved upward and is located at its highest position. As shown in FIG. 14, in the state in which the heating portion 40 is located at its lowest position, the lid portion 46 is substantially horizontal. As shown in FIG. 16, in the process in which the heating portion 40 is moved upward and reaches its highest position, the lid portion 46 (refer to FIG. 14) is pressed upward from below by the support portions 414 of the top surfaces of the heating units 41. The lid portion 46 pivots around the pivot shafts 461 in resistance to the urging force of the springs 462. The opposite side edge of the lid portion 46 is moved upward. The opposite side edge of the lid portion 46 comes into contact, from the side, with the plate-shaped member provided on the upstream side of the holding portion 42 of the heating portion 40. The lid portion 46 becomes substantially vertical. The lid portion 46 separates from the top surfaces of the heating units 41 and does not cover the heaters 411.

In the process in which the heating portion 40 is moved downward from its highest position and is located at its lowest position, the lid portion 46 returns to the substantially horizontal state due to the urging force of the springs 462. In this state, the lid portion 46 covers the top surfaces of the heating units 41. The opposite side edge of the lid portion 46 is bent. Therefore, in the process in which the heating portion 40 is moved downward and is located at its lowest position, there is no interference between the opposite side edge of the lid portion 46 and the surface of the plate-shaped member provided on the upstream side of the holding portion 42, and does not hinder the downward movement of the heating portion 40.

The conveyance mechanism 50 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 to 21. The conveyance mechanism 50 includes the belts 51, the conveyance portions 60, and a drive portion 55. The drive portion 55 may drive the belts 51. The conveyance portions 60 are respectively connected to the belts 51. The conveyance portions 60 may convey the base 2 in accordance with the rotation of the belts 51.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the belts 51 are endless and have teeth on their inner side surfaces. The belts 51 include the belt 511, which is arranged on the right side surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13, and the belt 512, which is arranged on the left side surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13. The belt 511 is provided around pulleys 52 (the pulleys 521, 523 to 525, and 527). The belt 512 is provided around pulleys 53 (the pulleys 533 to 535) and the pulleys not shown in the drawings. In FIG. 17, the covers 122 and 132 (refer to FIG. 1) that cover the belts 51 are omitted. Sections, on the receiving surface side, of the covers 122 and 132 are open. The belts 51 are exposed to the receiving surface side from the openings. Sections of the belts 51 that are exposed to the openings of the covers 122 and 132 are hereinafter referred to as “exposed sections of the belts 51”.

The pulley 521 is provided on the downstream side of the right side surface of the first receiving tray 12. The pulley 527 is provided on the upstream side of the right side surface of the second receiving tray 13. The pulleys 523, 524, and 525 are respectively provided on the downstream side, substantially in the center in the conveyance direction and on the upstream side of the left side surface of the side plate portion 111 (refer to FIG. 1). The pulley 524 has teeth on its outer side surface, and the teeth of the pulley 524 are engaged with the teeth on the inner side of the belt 511.

In the state in which the receiving surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 are substantially horizontal, positions, in the up-down direction, of shaft centers of the pulleys 521 and 527 are the same. The pulleys 521 and 527 are arranged in parallel with the conveyance path 103. Shaft centers of the pulleys 523 and 525 are located lower than the shaft centers of the pulleys 521 and 527. A shaft center of the pulley 524 is located below the shaft centers of the pulleys 523 and 525. The pulleys 521, 524, and 527 are each in contact with the inner side surface of the belt 511, and the pulleys 523 and 525 are each in contact with the outer side surface of the belt 511.

The pulleys that are not shown in the drawings are respectively provided on the downstream side of the left side surface of the first receiving tray 12 and on the upstream side of the left side surface of the second receiving tray 13. The pulleys 533, 534, and 535 are respectively provided on the downstream side, substantially in the center in the conveyance direction, and on the upstream side of the right side surface of the side plate portion 112 (refer to FIG. 1). The pulley 534 has teeth on its outer side surface, and the teeth of the pulley 534 are engaged with teeth on the inner side of the belt 512.

In the state in which the receiving surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 are substantially horizontal, shaft centers of the pulleys 533 and 535 are located lower than shaft centers of the pulleys (not shown in the drawings) provided on the left side surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13. A shaft center of the pulley 534 is located lower than the shaft centers of the pulleys 533 and 535. The pulleys provided on the left side surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 and the pulley 534 are each in contact with the inner side surface of the belt 512, and the pulleys 533 and 535 are each in contact with the outer side surface of the belt 512.

The drive portion 55 includes the second motor 222, spur gears 56 and 58, and a transmission portion 57. The shaft center of each of the pulleys 52 and 53 and the pulleys not shown in the drawings extends in the left right direction. The shaft centers of the pulleys 52 and 53 and the pulleys not shown in the drawings are parallel to each other, and are orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The pulleys 524 and 534 are connected by a shaft 59 that extends in the left-right direction. A shaft 581 extends to the right from the right side surface of the pulley 524. The spur gear 58 is provided on the leading end of the shaft 581. The second motor 222 is provided below an upstream side section of the first receiving tray 12. The rotating shaft of the second motor 222 extends to the right. The spur gear 56 is provided on the leading end of the rotating shaft of the second motor 222. The transmission portion 57 that is formed by a plurality of spur gears is provided between the spur gears 56 and 58. The transmission portion 57 transmits the rotational driving force of the spur gear 56 to the spur gear 58.

The drive portion 55 may cause the pulley 524 to rotate by transmitting the rotational driving force of the second motor 222 to the pulley 524 via the spur gears 56 and 58 and the transmission portion 57. The pulleys 524 and 534 are connected by the shaft 59. Therefore, when the pulley 524 is rotated, the pulley 534 is also rotated. The pulleys 524 and 534 may respectively rotate the belts 511 and 512. The belts 51 may convey the base 2 from the upstream side to the downstream side by rotating in the counterclockwise direction in a right side view. Hereinafter, the direction in which the exposed sections of the belts 51 are moved from the upstream side to the downstream side, when the base 2 is being conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side, is referred to as a “first direction”. Hereinafter, the opposite direction to the first direction (namely, the direction in which the exposed sections of the belts 51 are moved from the downstream side to the upstream side) is referred to as a “second direction”.

The conveyance portion 60 is provided on the outer side surface of each of the belts 511 and 512. The conveyance portions 60 may convey the base 2 from the upstream side to the downstream side by being moved from the side of the second receiving tray 13 to the side of the first receiving tray 12 in accordance with the rotation of the belts 51. Each of the conveyance portions 60 includes a first conveyance portion 61 and a second conveyance portion 62. In the following explanation, a state will be described in which the first conveyance portion 61 and the second conveyance portion 62 are provided on each of the exposed sections of the belts 51.

As shown in FIG. 19, the first conveyance portion 61 and the second conveyance portion 62 are separated from each other in the direction in which the belt 51 extends, that is, in the conveyance direction. The first conveyance portion 61 is positioned on the first direction side of the second conveyance portion 62. The first conveyance portion 61 includes a first protruding portion 611, a first extending portion 612, and a claw portion 613 (refer to FIG. 20). The first protruding portion 611 protrudes perpendicularly and outwardly with respect to the outer side surface of the belt 51. The surface on the first direction side of the first protruding portion 611 is inclined obliquely downward in the first direction. The first extending portion 612 extends from the edge of the first protruding portion 611 that is on the opposite side from the side on which the first protruding portion 611 is connected to the belt 51, extending in the second direction from the surface on the second direction side of the first protruding portion 611 (that is, the side of the first protruding portion 611 that faces the second conveyance portion 62). The first extending portion 612 extends in parallel with the belt 51. A bottomed hole is provided in the edge of the first protruding portion 611 that is on the opposite side from the side on which the first protruding portion 611 is connected to the belt 51. A through hole is provided in the bottom surface of the bottomed hole. The claw portion 613 is fixed by a screw that passes through the through hole.

A space is formed in a section between the belt 51 and the first extending portion 612. Of the side surface of the first conveyance portion 61 on the second direction side, a section that is close to the belt 51 has a recessed shape that is recessed in the first direction. The length of the first protruding portion 611 and the first extending portion 612 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the length of the belt 51 in the left-right direction. A length S between the end of the first extending portion 612 on the belt 51 side and the flat surface (the conveyance path 103) that is parallel to the receiving surface is slightly larger than the thickness of a plate-shaped portion 90 (refer to FIG. 23, to be described below) of the base 2.

As shown in FIG. 20, the claw portion 613 is provided on a section of the first protruding portion 611 that is on the side on which the first protruding portion 611 is in contact with the belt 51. The claw portion 613 includes a first claw portion and a second claw portion. The first claw portion extends toward the belt 51 from each of the left and right sides, on the second direction side, of the surface of the first protruding portion 611 that is in contact with the belt 51. Hereinafter, the surface (of the first protruding portion 611) that is in contact with the belt 51 is referred to as the “bottom surface of the first protruding portion 611”. The first claw portion is arranged on each of the outer sides, in the width direction, of the belt 51. The second claw portion extends from the leading end of the first claw portion toward the inner side, in the width direction, of the belt 51. The second claw portion engages with the teeth of the belt 51. The claw portion 613 fixes the first conveyance portion 61 to the belt 51 by clamping the belt 51 between the bottom surface of the first protruding portion 611 and the second claw portion.

The first protruding portion 611 is fixed to the belt 51 in a state in which the bottom surface of the first protruding portion 611 extends in the same direction as a tangential direction of the belt 51. Therefore, when the section of the belt 51, to which the first conveyance portion 61 is fixed by the claw portion 613, is wound on the pulley 521 and bent, the first direction side of the bottom surface of the first protruding portion 611 separates from the belt 51.

As described above, the belt 51 is made of a composite material of fiber and urethane rubber or the like, and is elastically deformable. Therefore, when a force toward the belt 51 is applied to the first direction side end of the first conveyance portion 61, the section of the belt 51 that is in contact with the first direction side end of the first conveyance portion 61 deflects to the inner side (to the lower side), as shown in FIG. 21. As a result of this, the protruding direction of the first protruding portion 611 with respect to the flat surface (the conveyance path 103) that is parallel to the receiving surface is inclined from the perpendicular direction to the first direction side.

As shown in FIG. 19, the second conveyance portion 62 includes a second protruding portion 621, a second extending portion 622, and a claw portion 623 (refer to FIG. 20). The second protruding portion 621 protrudes perpendicularly and outwardly with respect to the outer side surface of the belt 51. The second protruding portion 621 is provided on a section that is separated from the first protruding portion 611 of the first conveyance portion 61 by a predetermined first distance P (refer to FIG. 18) in the second direction. The first distance P is slightly longer than a distance between a first side 901 of the base 2 and a bottom surface portion 92 (refer to FIG. 22, to be described below) that is close to the first side 901. More specifically, the first distance P is slightly longer than the distance between the first side 901 of the base 2 and one of a pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 that is close to the first side 901. The second extending portion 622 extends in the first direction from the end of the second protruding portion 621 on the opposite side to the side that is connected to the belt 51, more specifically, from the side surface of the second protruding portion 621 on the first direction side (i.e., the side facing the first conveyance portion 61). The second extending portion 622 extends in parallel with the belt 51. A corner portion 624 is a portion at which the end surface of the second extending portion 622 on the opposite side to the side that is close to the belt 51 intersects the side surface of the second extending portion 622 on the first direction side. The corner portion 624 is curved in an arc shape.

A space is formed in a section between the belt 51 and the second extending portion 622. Of the side surface of the second conveyance portion 62 on the first direction side, a section that is close to the belt 51 has a recessed shape that is recessed in the second direction. The length of each of the second protruding portion 621 and the second extending portion 622 in the left-right direction is substantially the same as the length of the belt 51 in the left-right direction. The length S between the end of the second extending portion 622 on the belt 51 side and the flat surface that is parallel to the receiving surface is the same as the length S between the end of the first extending portion 612 on the belt 51 side and the flat surface that is parallel to the receiving surface.

A bottomed hole is provided in the end of the second protruding portion 621 on the opposite side to the side that is connected to the belt 51. A through hole is provided in the bottom surface of the bottomed hole. The claw portion 623 (that will be described below) is fixed by a screw that passes through the through hole.

As shown in FIG. 20, the claw portion 623 is provided on a section of the second protruding portion 621 that is in contact with the belt 51. The claw portion 623 includes a first claw portion and a second claw portion. The first claw portion extends toward the belt 51 from each of the left and right sides of the bottom surface (that is in contact with the belt 51) of the second protruding portion 621. Shapes of the first claw portion and the second claw portion of the claw portion 623 are the same as those of the first claw portion and the second claw portion of the claw portion 613 of the first conveyance portion 61, and an explanation thereof is thus omitted. The claw portion 623 fixes the second conveyance portion 62 to the belt 51 by clamping the belt 51 between the bottom surface of the second protruding portion 621 and the second claw portion.

The base 2, on which is placed the object 3 that is packaged by the packaging device 1, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 22 to 28. The base 2 is formed by folding the plate-shaped portion 90 at folding portions 911 and 912. The base 2 is, for example, a corrugated board base.

As shown in FIG. 22, the plate-shaped portion 90 is a vertically long octagonal plate-shaped member in a plan view. The plate-shaped portion 90 is thick in the up-down direction. The plate-shaped portion 90 includes the first side 901, a second side 902, a third side 903, and a fourth side 904. The first side 901 and the second side 902 are sides which face each other and which extend in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion 90. The third side 903 and the fourth side 904 are sides which face each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the first side 901 and the second side 902 face each other, and which extend in the shorter side direction of the plate-shaped portion 90. Hereinafter, a set of the first side 901 and the second side 902 is also referred to as a “first set 908”. Hereinafter, a set of the third side 903 and the fourth side 904 is also referred to as a “second set 909”. Hereinafter, of the plate-shaped portion 90, the side on the first side 901 is referred to as the downstream side, the side on the second side 902 is referred to as the upstream side, the side on the third side 903 is referred to as the left side, and the side on the fourth side 904 is referred to as the right side. The shorter side direction of the plate-shaped portion 90 is referred to as the conveyance direction, and the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped portion 90 is referred to as the left-right direction. The direction in which the first side 901 and the second side 902 face each other is the conveyance direction. An inclined portion 917 is formed between the first side 901 and the third side 903. An inclined portion 918 is formed between the first side 901 and the fourth side 904. An inclined portion 919 is formed between the second side 902 and the third side 903. An inclined portion 920 is formed between the second side 902 and the fourth side 904. The folding portions 911 and 912 extend in a straight line in the conveyance direction between the first side 901 and the second side 902. More specifically, the folding portion 911 includes a plurality of sections that are provided on a virtual line extending between the first side 901 and the second side 902. The folding portion 912 includes a plurality of sections that are provided on a virtual line extending between the first side 901 and the second side 902. In the present embodiment, among three quadrant lines that divide the plate-shaped portion 90 into four approximately equal sections in the longitudinal direction, the folding portion 911 is positioned on the quadrant line that is closest to the third side 903. The folding portion 911 intersects the first side 901 and the second side 902 at intersection points 913 and 914, respectively. The folding portion 912 is positioned on the quadrant line that is closest to the side 904 among the three quadrant lines. The folding portion 912 intersects the first side 901 and the second side 902 at intersection points 915 and 916, respectively. The folding portions 911 and 912 extend parallel to each other. The distance between the folding portions 911 and 912 is slightly greater than the length of each of the first receiving tray 12 (refer to FIG. 1) and the second receiving tray 13 (refer to FIG. 1) in the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 22, the plate-shaped portion 90 is provided with an inner medium 973 between the upper surface and the lower surface of the plate-shaped portion 90. In other words, the inner medium 973 is provided between the pair of facing surfaces (the upper surface and the lower surface) that face each other in the up-down direction that is the thickness direction of the plate-shaped portion 90. The inner medium 973 is formed in a corrugated shape from a piece of paper board, for example. The inner medium 973 includes a plurality of ridges 974 and a plurality of grooves 975. The upper side of each of the ridges 974 has a rounded shape. The lower side of each of the grooves 975 has a rounded shape. The ridges 974 and the grooves 975 extend in the left-right direction. Each of the ridges 974 and each of the grooves 975 are alternately arranged from the upstream side edge to the downstream side edge of the plate-shaped portion 90 in the conveyance direction. As described above, the folding portions 911 and 912 extend in the conveyance direction. That is, in a plan view, the direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912 extend is orthogonal to the direction in which the ridges 974 and the grooves 975 extend. The direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912 extend need not necessarily be orthogonal to the direction in which the ridges 974 and the grooves 975 extend, as long as the direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912 extend intersect the direction in which the ridges 974 and the grooves 975 extend. FIG. 22 shows only a part of the inner medium 973 that is located on the left side of the plate-shaped portion 90, on the downstream side in the conveyance direction. In FIG. 22, the upper edge of each of the ridges 974 and the lower edge of each of the grooves 975 are shown by solid lines.

A section of the plate-shaped portion 90 between the folding portions 911 and 912 is referred to as a first plate-shaped portion 905. Of the plate-shaped portion 90, a section between the folding portion 911 and the third side 903 and a section between the folding portion 912 and the fourth side 904 are respectively referred to as second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907.

The plate-shaped portion 90 is recessed at sections of the folding portions 911 and 912. If the user applies a force inward in the left-right direction while holding the third side 903 and the fourth side 904 of the plate-shaped portion 90, the user can easily fold the plate-shaped portion 90 along the folding portions 911 and 912.

At respective positions at which each of the folding portions 911 and 912 (more specifically, the virtual lines on which the folding portions 911 and 912 are provided) is divided into the four approximately equal sections in the conveyance direction, the bottom surface portion 92, a side surface portion 93 and the bottom surface portion 92 are provided in this order from the downstream side toward the upstream side. That is, the four bottom surface portions 92 and the two side surface portions 93 are provided on the plate-shaped portion 90. One of the two bottom surface portions 92 that are connected to the folding portion 911 is close to the intersection point 913, and the other bottom surface portion 92 is close to the intersection point 914. One of the two bottom surface portions 92 that are connected to the folding portion 912 is close to the intersection point 915, and the other bottom surface portion 92 is close to the intersection point 916. The side surface portions 93 that are respectively connected to the folding portions 911 and 912 are arranged substantially in the center in the conveyance direction of the respective folding portions 911 and 912 (more specifically, the virtual lines on which the folding portions 911 and 912 are provided).

Each of the four bottom surface portions 92 is provided with a plurality of cuts (a pair of first bottom surface cuts 921, a second bottom surface cut 922, and a third bottom surface cut 923) and a hole 924. Each of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 extends inward in the left-right direction from the folding portion 911 or the folding portion 912. The distance between of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 gradually decreases inward in the left-right direction. Of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921, a cut that is provided on the outer side in the conveyance direction extends in a direction that is orthogonal to each of the folding portions 911 and 912, in a plan view.

Each of the second bottom surface cut 922 and the third bottom surface cut 923 extends in the conveyance direction between the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921. The cuts formed by the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 and the second bottom surface cut 922 (more specifically, each of the virtual lines on which the folding portions 911 and 912 are provided, the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 and the second bottom surface cut 922) form a trapezoidal shape in a plan view. The third bottom surface cut 923 is a cut extending between ends, on the inner side in the left-right direction, of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921. The second bottom surface cut 922 is a cut provided further on the outer side, in the left-right direction, with respect to the third bottom surface cut 923. The hole 924 is provided in each section that is surrounded by the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921, the second bottom surface cut 922, and the third bottom surface cut 923.

Each of the plurality of side surface portions 93 is provided with a plurality of cuts (a pair of first side surface cuts 931, a second side surface cut 932, and a third side surface cut 933) and a hole 934. Each of the pair of first side surface cuts 931 extends outward in the left-right direction from each of the folding portions 911 and 912. The pair of first side surface cuts 931 extend substantially in parallel with each other. Each of the pair of first side surface cuts 931 extends in the direction orthogonal to each of the folding portions 911 and 912, in a plan view.

Each of the second side surface cut 932 and the third side surface cut 933 extends in the conveyance direction between the pair of first side surface cuts 931. The third side surface cut 933 is a cut extending between ends, on the outer side in the left-right direction, of the pair of first side surface cuts 931. The second side surface cut 932 is a cut provided further on the inner side, in the left-right direction, with respect to the third side surface cut 933. The hole 934 is provided in each section that is surrounded by the pair of first side surface cuts 931, the second side surface cut 932, and the third side surface cut 933.

The bottom surface portions 92 and the side surface portion 93 that are connected to the folding portion 911, and the bottom surface portions 92 and the side surface portion 93 that are connected to the folding portion 912 are line-symmetrical with respect to a line 96. The line 96 is a line which is virtually set in a position where the distance from the folding portion 911 is the same as the distance from the folding portion 912, and which extends in the conveyance direction in the center in the left-right direction of the plate-shaped portion 90.

The first plate-shaped portion 905 is provided with marks 951 to 956. The marks 951 to 956 indicate a range in which an object can be placed. The marks 951 to 953 are provided relatively close to the folding portion 911. The marks 951 to 953 are provided in parallel to the folding portion 911, in that order, from a position close to the first side 901 toward the second side 902. The marks 951 and 953 are line marks that are bent at an angle of 90 degrees. The mark 952 is a straight mark. The marks 954 to 956 are provided relatively close to the folding portion 912. The marks 954 to 956 are provided in parallel to the folding portion 912, in that order, from a position close to the first side 901 toward the second side 902. The marks 954 and 956 are line marks that are bent at an angle of 90 degrees. The mark 955 is a straight line mark. The marks 951 to 953 and the marks 954 to 956 are symmetrical with respect to the line 96. Therefore, the marks 951 to 956 define a rectangular range. The second plate-shaped portion 906 is provided with marks 957 to 959. The marks 957 to 959 indicate a height range in which an object can be placed. The marks 957 to 959 are provided in parallel to the folding portion 911, in that order, from a position close to the first side 901 toward the second side 902. The marks 957 and 959 are line marks that are bent at an angle of 90 degrees. The mark 958 is a straight line mark. The second plate-shaped portion 907 is provided with marks 961 to 963. The marks 961 to 963 indicate a height range in which an object can be placed. The marks 961 to 963 are provided in parallel to the folding portion 912, in that order, from a position close to the first side 901 toward the second side 902. The marks 961 and 963 are line marks that are bent at an angle of 90 degrees. The mark 962 is a straight line mark. The marks 951 to 959 and 961 to 963 may be formed as perforations when the plate-shaped portion 90 is formed by punching. In this case, the marks 951 to 959 and the marks 961 to 963 are formed at the same time as forming the plate-shaped portion 90, and the processing time may not be lengthened. The marks 951 to 959 and 961 to 963 may be provided by printing or the like.

An anti-slip portion 925 is formed in the rectangular range that is defined by the marks 951 to 956 of the first plate-shaped portion 905. The anti-slip portion 925 inhibits the object placed on the first plate-shaped portion 905 from becoming displaced. For example, a resin film having a larger coefficient of friction than that of the surface of a piece of corrugated board or the like that forms the first plate-shaped portion 905 may be used as the anti-slip portion 925, and may be adhered to the first plate-shaped portion 905. For example, a silicon resin film can be used as the anti-slip portion 925.

A pull-up portion 940 is provided between the anti-slip portion 925 and the first side 901. Another pull-up portion 940 is provided between the anti-slip portion 925 and the second side 902. Each of the pull-up portions 940 includes a pull-up tab 945 and a pull-up tab 949. The pull-up tab 945 is surrounded by cuts 941 to 943 and a folding portion 944. The pull-up tab 949 is surrounded by cuts 946 and 947, the cut 943 and a folding portion 948. The cuts 941, 942, 946 and 947 are provided in parallel to the first side 901 and the second side 902. The cuts 941, 942, 946 and 947 penetrate through the first plate-shaped portion 905 in the thickness direction. The cut 943 is provided in a direction orthogonal to the first side 901 and the second side 902. The cut 943 penetrates through the first plate-shaped portion 905 in the thickness direction. The folding portions 944 and 948 are formed as recesses in the first plate-shaped portion 905.

FIGS. 23 to 26 show the base 2 in a state in which the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded inward in the left-right direction along the folding portions 911 and 912. In this state, when viewed in the conveyance direction, each of the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 is substantially perpendicular to the first plate-shaped portion 905. The second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 stand in the same direction from the folding portions 911 and 912, respectively. As described below, the user may place the base 2 on the receiving surface (refer to FIG. 1) of the second receiving tray 13 in a state in which the first plate-shaped portion 905 is on the bottom surface side of the base 2, the second plate-shaped portion 907 is on the right side of the base 2 and the second plate-shaped portion 906 is on the left side of the base 2. The upper side, the lower side, the lower left side, and the upper right side of FIG. 23 are respectively referred to as the upper side, the lower side, the right side, and the left side of the base 2. The lower right side and the upper left side of FIG. 23 are respectively referred to as the upstream side and the downstream side of the conveyance direction. The inner medium 973 of the base 2 is shown only in FIGS. 22, 24, and 26 and is omitted in the other drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, bottom surface protruding portions 926 of the bottom surface portions 92 each protrude downward from one of the lower edge of the second plate-shaped portion 906 on the folding portion 911 side and the lower edge of the second plate-shaped portion 907 on the folding portion 912 side. Each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 is a portion that is surrounded by the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921, and the second bottom surface cut 922 (more specifically, surrounded by the virtual line on which the folding portion 911 or 912 is provided, the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 and the second bottom surface cut 922). When viewed in the conveyance direction, each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 is substantially perpendicular to the first plate-shaped portion 905. Hereinafter, in each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926, the side of the folding portion 911 or 912 is also referred to as the “base end side”. Hereinafter, in each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926, the opposite side to the side of the folding portion 911 or 912 is also referred to as the “leading end side”. Side surface protruding portions 936 of the side surface portions 93 each protrude outward in the left-right direction from one of the left end of the first plate-shaped portion 905 on the folding portion 911 side and the right end of the first plate-shaped portion 905 on the folding portion 912 side. Each of the side surface protruding portions 936 is a portion that is surrounded by the pair of first side surface cuts 931 and the second side surface cut 932 (more specifically, surrounded by the virtual line on which the folding portion 911 or 912 is provided, the pair of first side surface cuts 931, and the second side surface cut 932). When viewed in the conveyance direction, the side surface protruding portions 936 are substantially perpendicular to the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907. Hereinafter, in each of the side surface protruding portions 936, the side of the folding portion 911 or 912 is also referred to as the “base end side”. Hereinafter, in each of the side surface protruding portions 936, the opposite side to the side of the folding portion 911 or 912 is also referred to as the “leading end side”. The pull-up tab 945 and the pull-up tab 949 of each of the pull-up portions 940 can be pulled up in parallel to the first side 901 and the second side 902. That is, the pull-up tab 945 and the pull-up tab 949 can be pulled up in a direction that is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the base 2.

As shown in FIG. 24, when the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend in the left-right direction inside the first plate-shaped portion 905 and inside each of the side surface protruding portions 936. As shown in FIG. 26, inside the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 (refer to FIG. 23) and inside each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, when the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded, the inner medium 973 is also bent along the folding portions 911 and 912. Therefore, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 of the inner medium 973 are bent along the folding portions 911 and 912. The standing condition of the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 is maintained by the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975. Even when a load is applied to the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 in the left-right direction, the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 are unlikely to tilt in the left-right direction, and the load may be dispersed by the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907. Therefore, the base 2 is unlikely to be deformed. Inside each of the side surface protruding portions 936, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend in the left-right direction from the base end side to the leading end side. Also, inside the plate-shaped portion 905, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend in the left-right direction. Therefore, the load that is applied to the first plate-shaped portion 905 in the left-right direction may be dispersed by the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975. Therefore, the base 2 is unlikely to be deformed. Thus, the load bearing performance of the base 2 in the left-right direction may be improved.

The direction in which the second side surface cuts 932 and the folding portions 911 and 912 extend is orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend. Even when a load is applied to the side surface protruding portions 936 and the first plate-shaped portion 905 in the left-right direction, the load is likely to act in the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 are compressed inward in the left-right direction. The plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 are even more unlikely to be bent. Thus, the load bearing performance of the base 2 in the left-right direction may be further improved.

The second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 are each connected to the first plate-shaped portion 905 along the folding portions 911 and 912 that extend in the conveyance direction. Therefore, the load bearing performance of the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 and the first plate-shaped portion 905 in the conveyance direction may be improved. Thus, the load bearing performance of the base 2 in the conveyance direction may be improved.

When the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend in the up-down direction from the base end side to the leading end side (refer to FIG. 26) inside each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926. Even when a load is applied to each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 in the up-down direction, such as when the object 3 (refer to FIG. 34) is placed on the first plate-shaped portion 905, the load may be dispersed by the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975. When the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend in the up-down direction (refer to FIG. 26) inside the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907. Even when a load is applied to the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 in the up-down direction, the load may be dispersed by the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975. Therefore, the base 2 is unlikely to be deformed. Thus, the load bearing performance of the base 2 in the up-down direction may be improved.

The direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend is orthogonal to the direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912 extend and the direction in which each of the second bottom surface cuts 922 extends. In a state in which the object 3 is placed on the first plate-shaped portion 905, the load acts on the inside of the base 2 from the leading end side (the second bottom surface cut 922) of each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926. The load is likely to act in the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 located inside each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 are compressed inward in the up-down direction. Similarly, the load that acts on the inside of the base 2 from the leading end side (the second side surface cut 932) of the side surface protruding portion 936 is likely to act in the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 are compressed inward in the left-right direction. Therefore, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 are unlikely to be bent. Thus, the load bearing performance of the base 2 in the up-down direction and the left-right direction may be further improved.

As shown in FIG. 24, four holes 927 are formed in the first plate-shaped portion 905. Two of the four holes 92 are each surrounded by the folding portion 911 (more specifically, the virtual line on which the folding portion 911 is provided), the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921, and the third bottom surface cut 923. The other two holes 927 are each surrounded by the folding portion 912 (more specifically, the virtual line on which the folding portion 912 is provided), the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921, and the third bottom surface cut 923. The holes 927 are formed such that the holes 924 (refer to FIG. 22) are enlarged outward in the left-right direction by the plate-shaped portion 90 being folded.

As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, a film 97 is adhered to a lower side surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the plate-shaped portion 90. The film 97 includes a first film 971 and a second film 972. In a plan view, the first film 971 and the second film 972 each have a rectangular shape whose long sides extend in the left-right direction.

The first film 971 is adhered to the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the plate-shaped portion 90, more specifically, to a section that is located between the first side 901 and a first line 981. The first line 981 is a line that connects the first bottom surface cut 921 that is arranged in the vicinity of the intersection point 913 among the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 of the bottom surface portion 92 close to the intersection point 913, and the first bottom surface cut 921 that is arranged in the vicinity of the intersection point 915 among the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 of the bottom surface portion 92 close to the intersection point 915. The first film 971 extends in the left-right direction from the vicinity of the downstream side end of the third bottom surface cut 923 of the bottom surface portion 92 that is close to the intersection point 913, to the vicinity of the downstream side end of the third bottom surface cut 923 of the bottom surface portion 92 that is close to the intersection point 915. The upstream side edge of the first film 971 is arranged on the downstream side of the first line 981. The first film 971 is separated from the cuts of the bottom surface portion 92 (the first bottom surface cuts 921, the second bottom surface cut 922, and the third bottom surface cut 923) and is not in contact with these cuts.

The second film 972 is adhered to the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the plate-shaped portion 90, more specifically, to a section that is located between the second side 902 and a second line 982. The second line 982 is a line that connects the first bottom surface cut 921 that is arranged in the vicinity of the intersection point 914 among the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 of the bottom surface portion 92 close to the intersection point 914, and the first bottom surface cut 921 that is arranged in the vicinity of the intersection point 916 among the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 of the bottom surface portion 92 close to the intersection point 916. The second film 972 extends in the left-right direction from the vicinity of the upstream side end of the third bottom surface cut 923 of the bottom surface portion 92 close to the intersection point 914, to the vicinity of the upstream side end of the third bottom surface cut 923 of the bottom surface portion 92 close to the intersection point 916. The downstream side edge of the second film 972 is arranged on the upstream side of the second line 982. The second film 972 is separated from the cuts of the bottom surface portion 92 (the first bottom surface cuts 921, the second bottom surface cut 922, and the third bottom surface cut 923) and is not in contact with these cuts.

The first film 971 and the second film 972 are each adhered to the inner side in the left-right direction with respect to the folding portions 911 and 912. The first film 971 and the second film 972 are separated from the folding portions 911 and 912 and are not in contact with the folding portions 911 and 912.

Hereinafter, the first film 971 and the second film 972 are also collectively referred to as “films 97”. The films 97 are resin films. The films 97 are adhered to the plate-shaped portion 90 using adhesive. The films 97 melt when the films 97 are heated by the heaters 411 of the heating portion 40.

FIGS. 29 and 30 show a state in which the base 2 has been placed on the second receiving tray 13. The user may move the base 2 obliquely downward from the upstream side toward the downstream side in order to fit the first side 901 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 into the space formed between the first extending portion 612 of the first conveyance portion 61 and the belt 51. The first side 901 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 may be moved obliquely downward from the upstream side toward the downstream side, and may enter the space formed between the first extending portion 612 and the belt 51. As shown in FIG. 31, the first side 901 may come into contact with the first protruding portion 611, and may apply a force to the first protruding portion 611 such that the first protruding portion 611 is pushed to the downstream side. The first plate-shaped portion 905 may come into contact with the lower side of the first extending portion 612, and may apply an upward force to the first extending portion 612. The protruding side (the downstream side end) of the first protruding portion 611 may tilt to the downstream side, with the claw portion 613 serving as a point of support. The downstream side end of the first protruding portion 611 may push the belt 51 to the inner side (downward), and the belt 51 may be elastically deformed and deflected to the inner side (downward). The length S between the end of the first extending portion 612 on the belt 51 side and the flat surface (the conveyance path 103) that is parallel to the receiving surface may become larger. Therefore, the first plate-shaped portion 905 may smoothly enter the space formed between the first extending portion 612 and the belt 51. After that, the second side 902 of the base 2 may be pushed downward and the first plate-shaped portion 905 may become parallel to the receiving surface. The corner portion 624 of the second extending portion 622 of the second conveyance portion 62 is curved in an arc shape. Therefore, the base 2 may be smoothly pushed down without interference with the corner portion 624.

As shown in FIG. 30, the first side 901 of the base 2 may be fitted into the space formed between the first extending portion 612 and the belt 51. In this state, the first extending portion 612 may cover the first side 901 from above. The first conveyance portion 61 is provided on the belt 51 that is arranged on both the left and right side surfaces of the second receiving tray 13. Therefore, the first side 901 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 may be sandwiched between the first extending portion 612 and the belt 51, from both the left and right sides.

The distance (the first distance P, refer to FIG. 18) between the first protruding portion 611 of the first conveyance portion 61 and the second protruding portion 621 of the second conveyance portion 62 is slightly longer than the distance between the first side 901 of the base 2 and the bottom surface portion 92 that is close to the first side 901. The second protruding portion 621 of the second conveyance portion 62 may be fitted into the hole 927 that is surrounded by the cuts (the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 and the third bottom surface cut 923) of the bottom surface portion 92 of the base 2. When the base 2 is moved horizontally slightly to the upstream side along the flat surface that is parallel to the receiving surface, one of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 that is on the downstream side may enter the space formed between the second extending portion 622 and the belt 51. The one of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 that is on the downstream side may be fitted into the space formed between the second extending portion 622 and the belt 51. In this state, the second extending portion 622 may cover the downstream side of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 from above.

The base 2 may be sandwiched, from both sides in the conveyance direction, by the first protruding portion 611 of the first conveyance portion 61 and the second protruding portion 621 of the second conveyance portion 62. The second conveyance portion 62 is provided on the belt 51 that is arranged on both the left and right side surfaces of the second receiving tray 13. Therefore, the base 2 may be sandwiched between the first protruding portion 611 of the first conveyance portion 61 and the second protruding portion 621 of the second conveyance portion 62, from both the left and right sides.

Although not shown in the drawings, the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 may be in contact with the receiving surface of the second receiving tray 13. Therefore, the bottom surface protruding portions 926 that protrude downward from the first plate-shaped portion 905 may protrude downward from both the left and right sides of the receiving surface of the second receiving tray 13, and may be arranged on the outside of both the left and right side surfaces of the second receiving tray 13.

An electrical configuration of the packaging device 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 32. The packaging device 1 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, the sensor 204, an input portion 205, and the heaters 411. The CPU 201 performs overall control of the packaging device 1. The CPU 201 performs packaging processing by executing a program stored in the ROM 202. The packaging processing is processing that packages, with the film 24, the object 3 that has been placed on the base 2. The ROM 202 stores the program for the packaging processing that is executed by the CPU 201. The RAM 203 may store temporary data. The sensor 204 may detect the reflecting plate provided on the outer side surface of the belt 51. The input portion 205 includes a plurality of input buttons that may be used by the user to perform an input operation with respect to the packaging device 1. The packaging device 1 also includes drive portions 211 to 216, the first motor 221, the second motor 222, the third motor 223, the fourth motor 224, the fifth motor 225, and the sixth motor 226. The drive portions 211 to 216 may respectively drive the first motor 221 to the sixth motor 226. The CPU 201 is electrically connected to the ROM 202, the RAM 203, the sensor 204, the heaters 411, and the drive portions 211 to 216. The drive portions 211 to 216 are respectively electrically connected to the first motor 221 to the sixth motor 226.

The packaging processing that is performed by the CPU 201 of the packaging device 1 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 33 to 44. Before performing an operation to package the base 2 and the object 3 with the film 24 using the packaging device 1, the user may swing the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 (refer to FIG. 1) so that the receiving surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 become horizontal. In this state, the receiving surfaces of the first receiving tray 12 and the second receiving tray 13 form the conveyance path 103. The user may place the object 3 on the anti-slip portion 925 so that the object 3 is positioned within the range indicated by the marks 951 to 956 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2, and also within the height range indicated by the marks 957 to 959 of the second plate-shaped portion 906 and the marks 961 to 963 of the second plate-shaped portion 907. Next, the user may turn on the power supply of the packaging device 1. When the power supply of the packaging device 1 is turned on, the CPU 201 starts the packaging processing by reading out and executing the program stored in the ROM 202.

As shown in FIG. 33, first, the CPU 201 initializes the state of the packaging device 1 (step S11). Specifically, the initialization is performed in the following manner. The CPU 201 drives the first motor 221 by controlling the drive portion 211, and causes the support portions 34 to move upward so that the support portions 34 are located at their highest position. By doing this, the movable rollers 30 (the guide roller 31, the first auxiliary roller 32, and the second auxiliary roller 33) that are supported by the support portions 34 are located at their highest positions (refer to FIG. 34). The CPU 201 drives the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and causes the belts 51 (refer to FIG. 17) of the conveyance mechanism 50 to rotate. When the sensor 204 detects the reflecting plate, the CPU 201 stops the driving of the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212. This causes the conveyance portions 60 (each including the first conveyance portion 61 and the second conveyance portion 62) to protrude upward higher than the receiving surface of the second receiving tray 13 (refer to FIG. 17). The packaging device 1 is brought into a state in which the user may set the base 2 on the receiving surface of the second receiving tray 13.

The CPU 201 drives the third motor 223 by controlling the drive portion 213, and moves the heating portion 40 to downward so that the heating portion 40 is located at its lowest position. As a result, the heaters 411 (refer to FIG. 8) located on the top surfaces of the heating units 41 are separated from the conveyance path 103 (refer to FIG. 34). The lid portion 46 pivots due to the springs 462 and comes into contact with the support portions 414 on the top surfaces of the heating units 41. The lid portion 46 is brought into a substantially horizontal state and covers the heaters 411 from above. Therefore, for example, when the user attempts to touch the inside of the packaging device 1 for the purpose of maintenance, the user is not able to directly touch the heaters 411.

The CPU 201 drives the fourth motor 224 by controlling the drive portion 214, and moves the stopper 81 to the downstream side (refer to FIG. 12). The CPU 201 drives the fifth motor 225 by controlling the drive portion 215, and moves the cutting portion 77 to the left (refer to FIG. 4). In this state, the position in the left-right direction of the blade portion 771 of the cutting portion 77 is arranged to the left of the left end of the film 24 contained in the film cassette 21. The CPU 201 drives the sixth motor 226 by controlling the drive portion 216, and causes the holding portions 78 to pivot. The holding roller 72 is downwardly separated from the base guide roller 71 (refer to FIG. 7).

The CPU 201 determines whether or not an instruction to start the packaging of the base 2 and the object 3 by the film 24 has been input via the input portion 205 (refer to FIG. 32) (step S12). When the instruction to start the packaging has not been input (no at step S12), the processing returns to step S12. The CPU 201 continues to wait to receive the instruction to start the packaging.

After the packaging device 1 has been initialized at step S11, the user may manually pull down the film 24 discharged from the discharge opening of the film cassette 21, through the upstream side of the second auxiliary roller 33. Since the film 24 comes into contact with the upstream side of the second auxiliary roller 33, the film 24 is guided slightly to the upstream side. The user may further pull the pulled-down leading end of the film 24 until the film 24 reaches below the conveyance path 103, such that the leading end of the film 24 is arranged on the downstream side of the base guide roller 71 (refer to FIG. 34).

The user performs an input operation via the input portion 205 in order to notify the packaging device 1 that the film 24 is prepared. In this case, the CPU 201 drives the sixth motor 226 by controlling the drive portion 216, and causes the holding portions 78 to pivot. Due to the pivoting of the holding portions 78, the holding roller 72 is arranged in the vicinity of the downstream side of the base guide roller 71, as shown in FIG. 34. The leading end of the film 24 that has been pulled out from the film cassette 21 is clamped by the base guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72, from both sides in the conveyance direction. The film 24 and the conveyance path 103 intersect with each other in the vicinity of the leading end of the film 24. The torque is applied to the film roll 22 by the clutch spring, and the tension acts on the film 24. Thus, the film 24 extends straight up-down between the upstream side of the second auxiliary roller 33 and a section that is clamped by the base guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72.

The user may place the base 2 on the second receiving tray 13 (refer to FIGS. 29 to 31). The base 2 may be positioned by the conveyance portion 60, and the position of the base 2 may be fixed with respect to the conveyance portion 60. The first side 901 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 may be arranged on the downstream side and the second side 902 may be arranged on the upstream side. In this state, the base 2 may be conveyed in the conveyance direction by the conveyance portion 60. The user may place the object 3 on the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 that has been placed on the second receiving tray 13. The user may perform an input operation, via the input portion 205, to instruct the start of the packaging of the base 2 and the object 3 by the film 24.

As shown in FIG. 33, when the instruction to start the packaging has been input (yes at step S12), the CPU 201 drives the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212. The CPU 201 adjusts the rotation direction of the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212 so that the belts 51 are rotated in the direction in which the base 2 is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side. The second motor 222 rotates the belts 51 via the drive portion 55 (refer to FIG. 17). The belts 51 are rotated in the direction (the direction of an arrow 141 in FIG. 34) in which the conveyance portions 60 (each including the first conveyance portion 61 and the second conveyance portion 62) that protrude upward higher than the receiving surface of the third receiving tray 13 are moved from the upstream side to the downstream side. The conveyance portions 60 convey the base 2 from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveyance path 103 (step S13).

The first protruding portion 611 of the first conveyance portion 61 and the second protruding portion 621 of the second conveyance portion 62 may sandwich a section of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 that is located between the first side 901 and the hole 927 that is in the vicinity of the first side 901, from both sides in the conveyance direction. Therefore, the conveyance portions 60 can appropriately convey the base 2 to the downstream side.

Hereinafter, the rotation direction of the second motor 222 and the belts 51 when the base 2 is conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side is referred to as the “positive direction”. The rotation direction of the second motor 222 and the belts 51 that is opposite to the positive direction is referred to as the “reverse direction”.

As shown in FIG. 34, the downstream side end of the base 2 gradually approaches the film 24 extending in the up-down direction. The downstream side end (the first side 901) of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 comes into contact with the film 24, and thereafter passes over the holding roller 72. The CPU 201 continues to drive the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and causes the belts 51 to continue to rotate in the positive direction. The base 2 continues to be conveyed to the downstream side.

As shown in FIG. 35, the base 2 is moved to the downstream side (an arrow 142). As a result, the first side 901 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 pushes the film 24 to the downstream side. The base 2 is moved further to the downstream side. The first side 901 approaches the movement path 104 from the upstream side. The base 2 is moved further to the downstream side, and the first side 901 passes above the heating portion 40. The leading end of the film 24 is clamped by the base guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72. When the film 24 is pushed by the first side 901 to the downstream side, the leading end of the film 24 reaches around to the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2.

The CPU 201 detects whether the first side 901 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 has been moved to the downstream side, by a predetermined distance, of a position above the heating portion 40, based on the rotation number of the second motor 222 after the conveyance of the base 2 to the downstream side is started at step S13 (refer to FIG. 33). The predetermined distance is set to be substantially the same as the distance from the first side 901 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 to the first line 981 (refer to FIG. 28). When the first side 901 has been moved to the downstream side, by the predetermined distance, of the position above the heating portion 40, the CPU 201 stops the driving of the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and stops the conveyance of the base 2 to the downstream side, as shown in FIG. 33 (step S15).

The CPU 201 drives the third motor 223 by controlling the drive portion 213 and causes the heating portion 40 to move upward (step S17). When the heating portion 40 is located at its highest position, the CPU 201 stops the driving of the third motor 223 by controlling the drive portion 213, and stops the upward movement of the heating portion 40. As shown in FIG. 36, when the heating portion 40 has been moved upward (an arrow 143) to its highest position, the top surfaces of the heating units 41 (refer to FIG. 8) of the heating portion 40 come close to the conveyance path 103 from below. The film 24 is sandwiched between the support portions 414 and the base 2, and the support portions 414 fix the position of the heaters 411 with respect to the film 24. As the heating portion 40 is moved upward, the lid portion 46 pivots around the pivot shafts 461 in resistance to the urging force of the springs 462. The lid portion 46 becomes substantially vertical. The opposite side edge of the lid portion 46 comes into contact with the plate-shaped portion on the upstream side of the holding portion 42 of the heating portion 40. The lid portion 46 separates from the top surfaces of the heating units 41.

The first side 901 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 has been moved to the downstream side, by the predetermined distance, of the position above the heating portion 40. The film 24 has reached around to the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905. Therefore, when the heating portion 40 is located at its highest position, the film 24 is sandwiched between the top surfaces of the heating units 41 and the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2. Here, as shown in FIG. 28, the first film 971 is adhered to the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905, more specifically, to the section between the first side 901 and the first line 981. Therefore, the film 24 is sandwiched between the top surfaces of the heating units 41 of the heating portion 40 that has been moved to its highest position and the first film 971 adhered to the base 2.

As shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 causes the heaters 411 of the heating portion 40 to generate heat (step S19). The heaters 411 heat the film 24 and melt the film 24. At the same time, the heaters 411 heat the first film 971 adhered to the base 2, via the film 24, and melt the first film 971. The melted film 24 and the melted first film 971 bond together well. As a result, the leading end of the film 24 is bonded, via the first film 971, to the vicinity of the first side 901 of the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 (step S19).

The CPU 201 stops the heat generation of the heaters 411, after a predetermined time period has elapsed from when the heat generation of the heaters 411 is started at step S19 (step S20). The predetermined time period is a time period that is necessary for the heaters 411 to heat the film 24 and the first film 971 to their melting point. The CPU 201 drives the third motor 223 by controlling the drive portion 213 and causes the heating portion 40 to move downward (step S21). The top surfaces of the heating units 41 of the heating portion 40 are separated from the conveyance path 103. When the heating portion 40 is located at its lowest position, the CPU 201 stops the driving of the third motor 223 by controlling the drive portion 213, and stops the downward movement of the heating portion 40. As shown in FIG. 37, when the heating portion 40 has been moved downward (an arrow 144) to its lowest position, the lid portion 46 pivots around the pivot shafts 461 due to the urging force of the springs 462, and the lid portion 46 becomes substantially horizontal. The top surfaces of the heating units 41 are covered by the lid portion 46.

As shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 drives the sixth motor 226 by controlling the drive portion 216, and causes the holding portions 78 to pivot (step S23). As shown in FIG. 37, due to the pivoting of the holding portions 78 in the direction of an arrow 145, the holding roller 72 is downwardly separated from the base guide roller 71. The base guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72 release the leading end of the film 24 that has been clamped by the base guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72. A section in the vicinity of the leading end of the film 24 is melted by the heat generated by the heaters 411 at step S19, and is bonded to the lower surface of the base 2. As shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 drives the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and causes the belts 51 to rotate in the positive direction so that the base 2 is conveyed to the downstream side (step S25).

As shown in FIG. 37, the conveyance portions 60 move from the upstream side to the downstream side (an arrow 146) along the conveyance path 103, and convey the base 2 to the downstream side. The leading end of the film 24 is released from the base guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72. Therefore, in a state in which the section in the vicinity of the leading end of the film 24 is bonded to the lower surface of the base 2, the film 24 is moved to the downstream side along with the movement of the base 2. The first side 901 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 passes over the position (the intersection position 105), at which the conveyance path 103 and the movement path 104 intersect with each other, from the upstream side to the downstream side. The base 2 is moved further to the downstream side (the arrow 146). As the base 2 is moved to the downstream side, the first side 901 and the downstream side end of the object 3 are pressed against the film 24. The film 24 is bent at the contact portion with the first side 901 and the contact portion with the object 3. The film 24 is fed out from the film roll 22 little by little. Due to the torque applied to the film roll 22, the film 24 is strongly pressed against the base 2 and the object 3. The film 24 is firmly attached to the base 2 and the object 3 in a position where the film 24 covers the downstream side of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 and the object 3.

At this time, the object 3 is placed on the anti-slip portion 925 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2. Since the friction between the object 3 and the anti-slip portion 925 is large, it is possible to inhibit the object 3 from becoming displaced from the anti-slip portion 925 by the tension of the film 24 and from falling from the first plate-shaped portion 905. Even when the object 3 is displaced from the anti-slip portion 925, the object 3 comes into contact with side surfaces of the pull-up tab 945 and the pull-up tab 949 of each of the pull-up portions 940. It is thus possible to inhibit the object 3 from falling from the first plate-shaped portion 905. The direction in which the pull-up tab 945 and the pull-up tab 949 are pulled up is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the base 2. It is therefore possible to inhibit the pull-up tab 945 and the pull-up tab 949 from being pushed back to the first plate-shaped portion 905 by being pushed by the object 3.

The CPU 201 continuously drives the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and causes the belts 51 to continuously rotate in the positive direction. The base 2 is continuously conveyed to the first receiving tray 12 on the downstream side. The torque is applied to the film roll 22 by the clutch spring and the tension acts on the film 24. Therefore, in accordance with the conveyance of the base 2 to the downstream side, an upward force acts on the downstream side of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 to which the section in the vicinity of the leading end of the film 24 is bonded. In a similar manner, an upward force also acts on the first receiving tray 12 that supports, via the pulleys 52 and 53, the belts 51 on which the conveyance portions 60 that convey the base 2 are provided. In contrast to this, the upstream side ends of the guide portions 16 come into contact with the downstream side edges of the side plate portions 111 and 112, thus inhibiting the base 2 and the first receiving tray 12 from lifting upward.

The base 2 is continuously conveyed to the downstream side, and the film 24 is arranged in a position where the film 24 covers the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 and the upper side of the object 3. The film 24 is firmly attached to the top surface of the object 3 due to the torque applied to the film roll 22. The upstream side end (the second side 902) of the first plate-shaped portion 905 passes through over the base guide roller 71. The base 2 is further conveyed to the downstream side (the arrow 146). The second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 passes over the intersection position 105 from the upstream side to the downstream side. The film 24 extending from the film roll 22 comes into contact with the upstream side of the second auxiliary roller 33 and is guided slightly to the upstream side. Then, the film 24 comes into contact with the lower side of the second auxiliary roller 33 and extends to the downstream side. The film 24 comes into contact with the lower side of the first auxiliary roller 32 and extends further to the downstream side, thus reaching the downstream side of the first side 901 and the object 3. The guide roller 31 is arranged above the film 24 that extends between the first auxiliary roller 32 and the base 2 by way of the object 3.

As shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 detects whether the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 has been moved to the downstream side of the intersection position 105, based on the rotation number of the second motor 222 after the conveyance of the base 2 to the downstream side is started at step S25. When the second side 902 has been moved to the downstream side of the intersection position 105, the CPU 201 stops the driving of the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and stops the conveyance of the base 2 (step S26).

The packaging device 1 may include a position sensor in the vicinity of the intersection position 105. When the position sensor detects the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2, the CPU 201 may determine that the second side 902 has been moved to the downstream side of the intersection position 105.

The CPU 201 drives the first motor 221 by controlling the drive portion 211 and causes the support portions 34 to move downward. The movable rollers 30 supported by the support portions 34 are moved from their highest position to their lowest position. The guide roller 31 moves downward from its highest position to its lowest position along the movement path 104 (step S27). The guide roller 31 comes into contact, from above, with the film 24 arranged below the guide roller 31, and guides the film 24 downward along the movement path 104.

As shown in FIG. 38, the guide roller 31 is moved downward (an arrow 147) along the movement path 104, and is located at its lowest position. In this state, the guide roller 31 is in contact with the conveyance path 103 from below. The film 24 is arranged in a position where the film 24 covers the upstream side of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 and the object 3. The film 24 extends toward the guide roller 31 from a portion where the film 24 is in contact with the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2. The film 24 comes into contact with the downstream side and the lower side of the guide roller 31, and extends to the upstream side. The film 24 comes into contact with the lower side of the first auxiliary roller 32 and extends further to the upstream side. The film 24 comes into contact with the lower side and the upstream side of the second auxiliary roller 33, and reaches the film roll 22. A section of the film 24 that is located between the contact portion with the lower side of the guide roller 31 and the contact portion with the lower end of the first auxiliary roller 32 extends substantially in the horizontal direction, and is arranged below the upper end of the blade portion 771 that extends upward from the cutting portion 77. In the state in which the packaging device 1 is initialized (refer to step S11), the cutting portion 77 has been moved to the left side. At this point in time, the film 24 is not in contact with the blade portion 771.

As shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 drives the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and causes the belts 51 to rotate in the reverse direction. The conveyance portions 60 are moved from the downstream side to the upstream side, and convey the base 2 to the upstream side along the conveyance path 103 (step S29). The base 2 is conveyed in the reverse direction (the direction from the downstream side toward the upstream side).

As shown in FIG. 39, the base 2 is moved from the downstream side to the upstream side (an arrow 148). As a result, the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 approaches the intersection position 105 from the downstream side. The second side 902 passes over the intersection position 105 from the downstream side toward the upstream side. The second side 902 passes through the position above the heating portion 40 and is moved to the upstream side. In a state in which the guide roller 31 is in contact with the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905 from below, the guide roller 31 is relatively moved from the second side 902 toward the downstream side. The film 24 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905 and the guide roller 31.

As shown in FIG. 40, the film 24 extends from the portion where the film 24 is in contact with the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 to the downstream side along the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905. The film 24 is wound on the guide roller 31 from above and changes direction. Then, the film 24 extends from the lower side of the guide roller 31 to the upstream side. The film 24 comes into contact with the lower side of the first auxiliary roller 32 and extends further to the upstream side. The film 24 comes into contact with the lower side and the upstream side of the second auxiliary roller 33, and reaches the film roll 22.

As shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 detects whether the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 has been moved to the upstream side by a predetermined distance with respect to the position above the heating portion 40, based on the rotation number of the second motor 222 after the conveyance of the base 2 to the upstream side is started at step S29. The predetermined distance is set to be substantially the same as the distance from the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 to the second line 982 (refer to FIG. 28). When the second side 902 has been moved to the upstream side of the position above the heating portion 40 by the predetermined distance, the CPU 201 stops the driving of the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and stops the conveyance of the base 2 (step S30).

The film 24 that extends from the guide roller 31 to the film roll 22 via the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 is arranged in the vicinity of and below the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2, by the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 supporting the film 24 on the lower side of the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33. Therefore, even when the base 2 has been moved to the upstream side at steps S29 and S30, the section of the film 24 located on the lower side of the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 does not come into contact with the base 2. In this manner, when the base 2 is conveyed from the downstream side to the upstream side, the first auxiliary roller 32 and the second auxiliary roller 33 can inhibit the film 24 that extends from the guide roller 31 to the film roll 22 from coming into contact with the base 2.

In this state, the film 24 extends from the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 to the downstream side along the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905 (refer to FIG. 40). Here, as shown in FIG. 28, the second film 972 is adhered to the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905, more specifically, to the section between the second side 902 and the second line 982. Therefore, of the film 24, the section that extends from the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 to the downstream side along the lower surface overlaps with the lower side of the second film 972 adhered to the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905.

As shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 drives the fourth motor 224 by controlling the drive portion 214, and causes the stopper 81 of the rotation inhibiting portion 80 to move to the upstream side (step S31). As shown in FIG. 41, the guide roller 31 located at its lowest position is arranged on the upstream side of the stopper 81. The stopper 81 is moved to the upstream side (an arrow 149). As a result, the rubber strip 811 (refer to FIG. 11) provided on the stopper 81 comes close to the guide roller 31 (refer to FIG. 40), and the film 24 that has been wound on the guide roller 31 is clamped between the rubber strip 811 and the guide roller 31. The springs 83 (refer to FIG. 11) of the rotation inhibiting portion 80 urge the stopper 81 to the upstream side, and thus, the rubber strip 811 pushes the guide roller 31 to the upstream side via the film 24. As a result, the guide roller 31 is inhibited from rotating, and the film 24 is clamped between the guide roller 31 and the rubber strip 811.

The CPU 201 drives the fifth motor 225 by controlling the drive portion 215, and moves the cutting portion 77 from the left to the right along the guide rail 74 (refer to FIG. 5) (step S33). As shown in FIG. 40, the upper end of the blade portion 771 of the cutting portion 77 is arranged higher than the film 24 that extends substantially horizontally between the lower side of the guide roller 31 and the lower side of the first auxiliary roller 32. Therefore, due to the movement of the cutting portion 77 to the right, the film 24 is cut by the blade portion 771, in the section that extends between the guide roller 31 and the first auxiliary roller 32. The cutting portion 77 cuts off the section of the film 24 that covers the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 and the object 3, from the section of the film 24 that is wound around the film roll 22.

Since the torque is applied to the film roll 22, the tension acts on the section of the film 24 that extends substantially horizontally between the guide roller 31 and the first auxiliary roller 32. The first auxiliary roller 32 presses down the film 24 extending between the guide roller 31 and the second auxiliary roller 33. Therefore, a stronger tension acts on the film 24. Therefore, when the cutting portion 77 is moved to the right, the film 24 does not cling to the blade portion 771 and the film 24 can be appropriately cut.

When the blade portion 771 cuts the film 24 by moving to the right in a state in which the blade portion 771 is in contact with the film 24, a force that guides the film 24 to the right is applied. However, the rotation of the guide roller 31 is inhibited by the stopper 81. The film 24 is clamped between the stopper 81 and the guide roller 31. Therefore, the position of the film 24 with respect to the guide roller 31 is fixed, and the film 24 is not moved to the right due to the movement of the cutting portion 771. It is thus possible to appropriately cut the film 24 by the blade portion 771. After the film 24 has been cut, the guide roller 31 and the stopper 81 maintain the state in which the film 24 is clamped between the guide roller 31 and the stopper 81. It is thus possible to inhibit the film 24 from being displaced from the object 3 after the film 24 has been cut by the cutting portion 771.

As shown in FIG. 42, after the film 24 has been cut, the cut end of the film 24 extending from the film roll 22 hangs down below the base guide roller 71.

As shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 drives the sixth motor 226 by controlling the drive portion 216, and causes the holding portions 78 to pivot (step S35). As shown in FIG. 43, the holding portions 78 are pivoted in the direction of an arrow 150. The holding roller 72 is arranged close to the downstream side of the base guide roller 71. The end of the film 24 that is cut by the cutting portion 77 is clamped by the base guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72.

The CPU 201 drives the third motor 223 by controlling the drive portion 213 and causes the heating portion 40 to move upward (step S37). When the heating portion 40 is located at its highest position, the CPU 201 stops the driving of the third motor 223 by controlling the drive portion 213, and stops the upward movement of the heating portion 40. As shown in FIG. 43, when the heating portion 40 has been moved upward (an arrow 151) to its highest position, the top surfaces of the heating units 41 (refer to FIG. 8) of the heating portion 40 come close to the conveyance path 103 from below. The film 24 is sandwiched between the support portions 414 and the base 2, and the support portions 414 fix the position of the heaters 411 with respect to the film 24.

The second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 has been moved to the upstream side, by the predetermined distance, of the position above the heating portion 40. The film 24 guided by the guide roller 31 is arranged along the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905, in the vicinity of the second side 902. As shown in FIG. 28, the second film 972 is adhered to the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905, more specifically, to the section between the second side 902 and the second line 982. Therefore, the film 24 that is arranged along the lower surface of the first plate-shaped portion 905 overlaps with the second film 972. Therefore, when the heating portion 40 has been moved upward and is located at its highest position, the film 24 and the second film 972 are sandwiched between the top surfaces of the heating units 41 and the base 2.

As shown in FIG. 33, the CPU 201 causes the heaters 411 of the heating portion 40 to generate heat (step S39). The heaters 411 heat the film 24 and melt the film 24. At the same time, the heaters 411 heat the second film 972 adhered to the base 2, via the film 24, and melt the second film 972. The melted film 24 and the melted second film 972 are bonded together. As a result, the end of the film 24 cut off by the cutting portion 77 is bonded, via the second film 972, to the vicinity of the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2 (step S39). The film 24 cut off from the film roll 22 covers the base 2 and the object 3.

The CPU 201 stops the heat generation of the heaters 411 after a predetermined time period has elapsed from when the heat generation of the heaters 411 is started at step S39 (step S40). The CPU 201 drives the third motor 223 by controlling the drive portion 213 and causes the heating portion 40 to move downward (step S41, an arrow 152 (refer to FIG. 44)). The top surfaces of the heating units 41 are separated from the conveyance path 103 (refer to FIG. 44). When the heating portion 40 is located at its lowest position, the CPU 201 stops the rotation of the third motor 223 by controlling the drive portion 213.

The CPU 201 drives the fourth motor 224 by controlling the drive portion 214, and causes the stopper 81 of the rotation inhibiting portion 80 to move to the downstream side (step S43, an arrow 153 (refer to FIG. 44)). The stopper 81 moves to the downstream side, and the rubber strip 811 provided on the stopper 81 separates from the guide roller 31 (refer to FIG. 44). The guide roller 31 is able to rotate.

The CPU 201 drives the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and causes the belts 51 to rotate in the positive direction so that the base 2 is conveyed to the downstream side (step S45). The base 2 and the object 3 for which the packaging is complete are conveyed to the downstream side and are placed on the first receiving tray 12. Due to the rotation of the belts 51 in the positive direction, the conveyance portions 60 are moved to the downstream side. As shown in FIG. 20, when the first conveyance portion 61 that is fixed to the belt 51 reaches the downstream side end of the first receiving tray 12, the belt 51 is wound on the pulley 521 and bent. As a result, the first direction side of the bottom surface of the first protruding portion 611 separates from the belt 51. The first protruding portion 611 extends obliquely upward from the downstream side.

The CPU 201 detects whether the first conveyance portion 61 has been moved to the downstream side and has reached the downstream side end of the first receiving tray 12, based on the rotation number of the second motor 222 after the conveyance of the base 2 to the downstream side is started at step S45 (refer to FIG. 33). When the first conveyance portion 61 has been moved to the downstream side and has reached the downstream side end of the first receiving tray 12, the CPU 201 stops the driving of the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212, and stops the conveyance of the base 2, as shown in FIG. 33 (step S46). The first protruding portion 611 extends obliquely upward from the downstream side. Therefore, the first protruding portion 611 separates from the second side 902 of the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2. The distance of separation between the upstream side end of the first extending portion 612 and the second protruding portion 621 of the second conveyance portion 62 increases. Therefore, the user may easily remove the base 2 from the conveyance portion 60. The packaging processing ends.

At step S35, the holding portions 78 are pivoted, and thus the end of the film 24 cut off by the cutting portion 77 is clamped by the base guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72. Therefore, the user may continuously package the next base 2 and the next object 3 by the film 24, without performing the operation of pulling out the film 24 from the film cassette 21 and clamping the leading end of the film 24 between the base guide roller 71 and the holding roller 72. When the user continuously performs the packaging operation, after the end of the packaging processing, the CPU 201 drives the second motor 222 by controlling the drive portion 212 so that the belts 51 rotate in the reverse direction. The CPU 201 causes the conveyance portions 60 to move from the downstream side to the upstream side and causes the conveyance portions 60 to be arranged on the second receiving tray 13. At the same time, the CPU 201 resets the support portions 34 and the cutting portion 77 to the state immediately after the initialization (step S11).

FIG. 45 shows a state in which the base 2 packaged by the packaging device 1 is contained in a packaging box 996. The object 3 (refer to FIG. 34) is omitted in FIG. 45. The upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of FIG. 45 are respectively the upper side, the lower side, the right side, and the left side of the packaging box 996 and the base 2. The third side 903 and the fourth side 904 of the base 2 are each in contact with an intersection position of a side wall and an upper wall of the packaging box 996. The second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 are slightly inclined such that the lower edges of the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 are directed to the inner side in the left-right direction. In this state, the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 are substantially perpendicular to the first plate-shaped portion 905 when viewed in the conveyance direction. The leading ends of the side surface protruding portions 936 are in contact with the left and right side walls of the packaging box 996. The leading ends of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 are in contact with the bottom wall of the packaging box 996.

The first plate-shaped portion 905 is supported by the bottom surface protruding portions 926 that protrude downward from the left and right ends of the first plate-shaped portion 905. The first plate-shaped portion 905 is upwardly separated from the bottom wall of the packaging box 996. The side surface protruding portion 936 that protrudes to the right is disposed between the right side wall of the packaging box 996 and the second plate-shaped portion 907. The side surface protruding portion 936 that protrudes to the left is disposed between the left side wall of the packaging box 996 and the second plate-shaped portion 906. A space is provided between the packaging box 996 and the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907. The object 3 is packaged by the film 24 in a state in which the object 3 is placed on the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2. The first plate-shaped portion 905 is stably fixed inside the packaging box 996 such that the first plate-shaped portion 905 is placed apart from the packaging box 996. Therefore, an impact applied to the packaging box 996 from the outside is unlikely to be transmitted to the object 3 fixed on the first plate-shaped portion 905. The object 3 may be protected in this manner.

Even when a load is applied perpendicularly to the side walls, the upper wall, or the bottom wall of the packaging box 996, the load may be transmitted to and dispersed by the plurality of ridges 974 (refer to FIG. 22) and the plurality of grooves 975 (refer to FIG. 22) that are located inside each of the side surface protruding portions 936 or inside each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926. Therefore, even when the base 2 is contained in the packaging box 996, the load bearing performance of the base 2 may be improved.

The direction in which each of the second bottom surface cuts 922 and each of the second side surface cuts 932 extend is parallel to the direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912 extend, and is orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend (refer to FIG. 23). When the base 2 is contained in the packaging box 996, each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall of the packaging box 996, and each of the side surface protruding portions 936 is substantially perpendicular to the side wall of the packaging box 996. When a load is applied perpendicularly to the side walls, the upper wall, or the bottom wall of the packaging box 996 and the load is transmitted to the leading end of each of the side surface protruding portions 936 or the leading end of each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926, the load is likely to act in the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 inside each of the side surface protruding portions 936 or inside each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 are compressed. Therefore, the load is unlikely to act in the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 are bent. Therefore, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 are more unlikely to be deformed. Thus, even when the base 2 is contained in the packaging box 996, the load bearing performance of the base 2 may be further improved.

As explained above, when the base 2 that is folded at the pair of folding portions 911 and 912 is contained in the packaging box 996, the first plate-shaped portion 905 can be separated from the inner walls of the packaging box 996 by the bottom surface protruding portions 926 and the side surface protruding portions 936. Therefore, in a state in which the base 2 on which the object 3 is placed is contained in the packaging box 996, an impact applied to the packaging box 996 can be inhibited from being transmitted to the object 3. The base 2 can protect the object 3 from the impact applied to the packaging box 996.

The base 2 is unlikely to be bent in the conveyance direction by folding the plate-shaped portion 90 at the pair of folding portions 911 and 912. Therefore, when the film 24 is put on the base 2 such that the tension acts on the film 24 in the conveyance direction and the base 2 and the object 3 are packaged with the film 24, it is possible to inhibit the base 2 from being bent by the tension of the film 24.

The pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 and the pair of first side surface cuts 931 respectively extend from each of folding portions 911 and 912. Therefore, when the user applies a force to the plate-shaped portion 90 in order to fold the plate-shaped portion 90, the force can be concentrated on the pair of folding portions 911 and 912. Therefore, the user can easily fold the plate-shaped portion 90 without applying a strong force. Further, the user can appropriately fold the plate-shaped portion 90 at the pair of folding portions 911 and 912.

In a state which the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded at the pair of folding portions 911 and 912, the left end and the right end of the side surface protruding portions 936 that extend on the same plane as the first plate-shaped portion 905 can be in contact with the inner walls of the packaging box 996. Thus, when the base 2 is contained inside the packaging box 996, it is possible to stabilize the position of the plate-shaped portion 90 in the horizontal direction with respect to the packaging box 996. Further, in the state which the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded at the pair of folding portions 911 and 912, the third side 903 and the fourth side 904 can be in contact with inner side sections of the packaging box 996 where the upper wall and the side walls intersect with each other. Further, the ends of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 that extend along the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 can be in contact with the bottom wall on the inner side of the packaging box 996. Thus, when the base 2 is contained inside the packaging box 996, it is possible to stabilize the position of the plate-shaped portion 90 in the vertical direction with respect to the packaging box 996. Therefore, even when the packaging box 996 is moved, the base 2 follows the movement of the packaging box 996. Thus, it is possible to inhibit the base 2 and the object 3 fixed onto the base 2 from being damaged as a result of the base 2 moving inside the packaging box 996 and hitting the upper wall, the bottom wall, and the side walls.

The plurality of holes 927 are formed in the plate-shaped portion 90 in the state which the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded at the pair of folding portions 911 and 912. When the base 2 is conveyed, one of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 and the pair of first side surface cuts 931 extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. Therefore, when the second protruding portion 621 of the second conveyance portion 62 is inserted into the hole 927 and the second conveyance portion 62 is moved, the second conveyance portion 62 is unlikely to be detached from the hole 927 of the base 2. Therefore, the packaging device 1 can appropriately convey the base 2.

When the base 2 is folded at the pair of folding portions 911 and 912, the user may apply a force inward in the left-right direction while holding the third side 903 and the fourth side 904 of the plate-shaped portion 90 by the user's hands. Here, the bottom surface portions 92 and the side surface portion 93 that are connected to the folding portion 911, and the bottom surface portions 92 and the side surface portion 93 that are connected to the folding portion 912 are line-symmetrical with respect to the line 96. Therefore, the force applied to the plate-shaped portion 90 by the user is uniformly applied to each of the pair of folding portions 911 and 912. Therefore, the user can easily fold the base 2 along the pair of folding portions 911 and 912.

The direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912 extend intersects the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend. When the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded along the folding portions 911 and 912, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 are bent. The standing conditions of the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 are maintained by the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975. Therefore, the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 are unlikely to tilt. Even when a load is applied to the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 in the left-right direction, the load is dispersed by the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907. Further, even when a load is applied to the base 2 in the up-down direction or the left-right direction, the load may be dispersed by the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975. Therefore, the base 2 is unlikely to be deformed. The first plate-shaped portion 905 is connected to each of the second plate-shaped portion 906 and the second plate-shaped portion 907 in the conveyance direction. Therefore, the load bearing performance of the first plate-shaped portion 905 and the second plate shaped portions 906 and 907 in the conveyance direction may be improved. Thus, the load bearing performance of the base 2 may be improved. Even when a load is applied perpendicularly to the side walls, the upper wall, or the bottom wall of the packaging box 996 in which the base 2 is contained, the load may be dispersed by the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975. As a result, even when the base 2 may be contained in the packaging box 996, the load bearing performance of the base 2 is improved.

When the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded along the folding portions 911 and 912, the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend from the base end side to the leading end side of each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 and each of the side surface protruding portions 936. Even when a load is applied to the side walls, the upper wall, or the bottom wall of the packaging box 996 in which the base 2 is contained, the load may be dispersed by the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975. Each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 and each of the side surface protruding portions 936 are unlikely to be deformed. Thus, even when the base 2 is contained in the packaging box 996, the load bearing performance of the base 2 may be further improved.

The direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912, the second side surface cuts 932, and the second bottom surface cuts 922 extend is orthogonal to the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend. In a state in which the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded inward in the left-right direction along the folding portions 911 and 912, the bottom surface protruding portions 926 are substantially perpendicular to the first plate-shaped portion 905. Even when a load is applied to the base 2 in the up-down direction and/or the left-right direction, the load that acts on the inside of the base 2 from the leading end of each of the bottom surface protruding portions 926 and/or the leading end of each of the side surface protruding portions 936 is likely to act in the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 are compressed in the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 extend. Thus, the load bearing performance of the base 2 may be further improved. Even when a load is applied perpendicularly to the side walls, the upper wall, or the bottom wall of the packaging box 966 in which the base 2 is contained, the load is likely to act in the direction in which the plurality of ridges 974 and the plurality of grooves 975 are compressed. Thus, even when the base 2 is contained in the packaging box 966, the load bearing performance of the base 2 may be further improved.

As shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, the packaging device 1 is actually provided with an upper case 821 and a lower case 823. A cover 824 and a cover 825 are provided on the upstream side surface of the upper case 821. Each of the cover 824 and the cover 825 has a substantial box shape that is vertically long. The inclined portion 917 and the inclined portion 918 are respectively formed on the second plate-shaped portion 906 and the second plate-shaped portion 907 of the base 2. When the base 2 is conveyed to the downstream side and enters into the upper case 821, a hand of the user, a sleeve of clothes, a strap that is worn around the neck of the user, or the like may be guided obliquely upward and pushed out by the inclined portion 917 or the inclined portion 918. It is therefore possible to inhibit the hand of the user, the sleeve of the clothes, the strap, or the like from becoming caught between the cover 825 and the second plate-shaped portion 906 or between the cover 824 and the second plate-shaped portion 907. Further, it is possible to inhibit the strap from becoming caught on the second plate-shaped portion 906 or the second plate-shaped portion 907 of the base 2. The marks 951 to 956 are provided on the first plate-shaped portion 905 of the base 2. The marks 957 to 959 are provided on the second plate-shaped portion 906 of the base 2. The marks 961 to 963 are provided on the second plate-shaped portion 907 of the base 2. It is therefore possible to inhibit the user from placing, on the base 2, a large object that may interfere with the mechanism of the packaging device 1. The anti-slip portion 925 is provided on the first plate-shaped portion 905. Therefore, when the packaging processing is performed using the film 24, it is possible to inhibit the object 3 from becoming displaced from the position where the object 3 is placed. The pull-up portion 940 is provided on the first plate-shaped portion 905. It is therefore possible to inhibit the object 3 from becoming displaced from the position, on the base 2, where the object 3 is placed and from falling from the first plate-shaped portion 905.

As shown in FIGS. 46 and 47, a height L1 of vertical portions when the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 of the base 2 are folded is substantially the same as a height L2 of the guide portion 171 and the guide portion 175. More specifically, the height L1 of the vertical portions is the vertical length between the second bottom surface cut 922 and the intersection point of the first side 901 and one of the inclined portions 917 and 918, or the vertical length between the second bottom surface cut 922 and the intersection point of the second side 902 and one of the inclined portions 919 and 920. Therefore, the hand of the user, the sleeve of the clothes, the strap worn around the neck of the user, or the like that is placed on the guide portion 171 or the guide portion 175 may be guided obliquely upward by the inclined portion 917 or the inclined portion 918. It is therefore possible to inhibit the hand of the user, the sleeve of the clothes, the strap, or the like from being caught between the cover 825 and the second plate-shaped portion 96 or between the cover 824 and the second plate-shaped portion 907.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications are possible. For example, as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49, handle holes 985 that are openings may be respectively formed in the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 of the base 2. By inserting the user's hands into the handle holes 985, the user can reliably hold the base 2 on which the object 3 has been placed. The position and shape of the handle holes 985 in the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 may be determined as appropriate.

The inclination angle and the start position of the inclination of each of the inclined portions 917 to 920 may be determined as appropriate in accordance with the structure of the packaging device 1. The inclined portions 917 and 920 need not necessarily be provided at four locations. The inclined portions may be provided at only two locations, namely, the downstream side of the second plate-shaped portion 906 and the downstream side of the second plate-shaped portion 907. The number and positions of the marks 951 to 959 and 961 to 963 may be determined as appropriate in accordance with the structure of the packaging device 1 and the size of the base 2. The shape of the anti-slip portion 925 is not limited to a square shape, and may be changed to various shapes, such as a round shape.

Cuts may be provided on the folding portions 911 and 912. The strength of the folding portions 911 and 912 may be smaller than that of the other portions by performing processing, such as once folding and then folding back the folding portions 911 and 912. Perforations may be provided on the folding portions 911 and 912.

The positions of the folding portions 911 and 912 in the left-right direction may be changed. For example, the base 2 may be provided with a plurality of pairs of folding portions. The user may be allowed to select the folding portion that is actually folded, in accordance with the size of the packaging box 996. The direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912 extend is not limited to the direction that is parallel to the conveyance direction. The direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912 extend may be inclined with respect to the conveyance direction. Also in this case, the direction in which the folding portions 911 and 912 extend intersects the direction in which each of the ridges 974 and each of the grooves 975 extend.

The shapes of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 and the second bottom surface cut 922 of each of the bottom surface portions 92 are not limited to the linear shape. For example, the shapes of the pair of first bottom surface cuts 921 and the second bottom surface cut 922 may be adjusted such that the shape of the formed hole 927 is substantially the same as the plan view shape of the second protruding portion 621. In this case, the second protruding portion 621 of the second conveyance portion 62 may be firmly fitted into the hole 927. Therefore, the second protruding portion 621 may appropriately push the base 2.

The base 2 may be provided with more than four (for example, eight) of the bottom surface portions 92. The base 2 may be provided with more than two (for example, four) of the side surface portions 93. Each of the bottom surface portions 92 need not necessarily be provided with the third bottom surface cut 923 and the hole 924. Each of the side surface portions 93 need not necessarily be provided with the third surface cut 933 and the hole 934.

The angle between the first plate-shaped portion 905 and each of the second plate-shaped portions 906 and 907 when the plate-shaped portion 90 is folded at the folding portions 911 and 912 may be adjusted in accordance with the size of the packaging box 996.

The inner medium 973 that is provided inside the base 2 is not limited to the single inner medium. The base 2 may internally include a plurality of layers of wavy inner medium that are stacked in the thickness direction (the up-down direction).

The apparatus and methods described above with reference to the various embodiments are merely examples. It goes without saying that they are not confined to the depicted embodiments. While various features have been described in conjunction with the examples outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements of those features and/or examples may be possible. Accordingly, the examples, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative. Various changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the underlying principles. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A base comprising: a main plate-shaped portion that includes a first plate-shaped portion and a pair of second plate-shaped portions, the main plate-shaped portion having an octagonal shape and including a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, and four inclined portions, the first side and the second side facing each other, the third side and the fourth side facing each other in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the first side and the second side face each other, the first plate-shaped portion being a section, of the main plate-shaped portion, that is located between a first virtual line and a second virtual line, the first virtual line being a virtual straight line that extends between the first side and the second side, the second virtual line being a virtual straight line that extends between the first side and the second side and being different from the first virtual line, one of the pair of second plate-shaped portions being a section, of the main plate-shaped portion, that is connected to the first plate-shaped portion at the first virtual line, the other of the pair of second plate-shaped portions being a section, of the main plate-shaped portion, that is connected to the first plate-shaped portion at the second virtual line, the pair of second plate-shaped portions including the four inclined portions, and the four inclined portions connecting the first side and the third side, connecting the first side and the fourth side, connecting the second side and the third side, and connecting the second side and the fourth side; a first folding portion that is provided on the first virtual line, the first folding portion being a portion at which the main plate-shaped portion that is configured to be foldable; a second folding portion that is provided on the second virtual line, the second folding portion being a portion at which the main plate-shaped portion that is configured to be foldable; two first bottom surface portions that are each provided, in the main plate-shaped portion, between a central position of the first virtual line and each of two intersection points at which the first virtual line intersects the first side and the second side, each of the two first bottom surface portions including a pair of first bottom surface cuts and a second bottom surface cut, the pair of first bottom surface cuts being two cuts that extend in a direction from the first folding portion toward the second folding portion, the second bottom surface cut being a cut that extends between the pair of first bottom surface cuts, the second bottom surface cut being parallel to the first virtual line, and a shape of a portion that is surrounded by the pair of first bottom surface cuts, the second bottom surface cut, and the first virtual line being trapezoidal; two second bottom surface portions that are each provided, in the main plate-shaped portion, between a central position of the second virtual line and each of two intersection points at which the second virtual line intersects the first side and the second side, each of the two second bottom surface portions including a pair of third bottom surface cuts and a fourth bottom surface cut, the pair of third bottom surface cuts being two cuts that extend in a direction from the second folding portion toward the first folding portion, the fourth bottom surface cut being a cut that extends between the pair of third bottom surface cuts, the fourth bottom surface cut being parallel to the second virtual line, and a shape of a portion that is surrounded by the pair of third bottom surface cuts, the fourth bottom surface cut, and the second virtual line being trapezoidal; a first side surface portion that is provided between the two first bottom surface portions, on the first virtual line in the main plate-shaped portion, the first side surface portion including a pair of first side surface cuts and a second side surface cut, the pair of first side surface cuts being two cuts that extend from the first folding portion to a side that is opposite to the second folding portion, and the second side surface cut being a cut that extends between the pair of first side surface cuts; and a second side surface portion that is provided between the two second bottom surface portions, on the second virtual line in the main plate-shaped portion, the second side surface portion including a pair of third side surface cuts and a fourth side surface cut, the pair of third side surface cuts being two cuts that extend from the second folding portion to a side that is opposite to the first folding portion, and the fourth side surface cut being a cut that extends between the pair of third side surface cuts.
 2. The base according to claim 1, wherein a mark is provided on the first plate-shaped portion, the mark being configured to indicate a range in which an object can be placed.
 3. The base according to claim 1, wherein an anti-slip portion is provided on the first plate-shaped portion, the anti-slip portion being configured to inhibit an object that is placed on the first plate-shaped portion from becoming displaced from the first plate-shaped portion.
 4. The base according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of second plate-shaped portions includes an opening.
 5. The base according to claim 1, wherein a pull-up portion is provided in at least one of a first section and a second section of the first plate-shaped portion, the first section being close to the first side, the second section being close to the second side, and the pull-up portion being configured to inhibit an object that is placed on the first plate-shaped portion from becoming displaced from the first plate-shaped portion.
 6. The base according to claim 2, wherein the mark is formed by perforations.
 7. The base according to claim 1, wherein an anti-slip portion is provided on the first plate-shaped portion, the anti-slip portion being formed of a resin film having a friction coefficient that is larger than a friction coefficient of a surface of the first plate-shaped portion.
 8. The base according to claim 1, wherein a pull-up portion is provided in at least one of a first section and a second section of the first plate-shaped portion, the first section being close to the first side, the second section being close to the second side, and the pull-up portion being formed by a cut that is provided in the first plate-shaped portion, and a direction in which the pull-up portion is configured to be pulled up is parallel to a direction in which the first side and the second side extend.
 9. The base according to claim 1, wherein a pull-up portion is provided in at least one of a first section and a second section of the first plate-shaped portion, the first section being close to the first side, the second section being close to the second side, and the pull-up portion being formed by at least one cut that is provided in the first plate-shaped portion, and the at least one cut forming the pull-up portion includes a pair of first cuts and a second cut, the pair of first cuts being two cuts that are parallel to the first side and the second side, and the second cut being a cut that extends between the pair of first cuts.
 10. The base according to claim 1, wherein the main plate-shaped portion is formed by a piece of corrugated board, the main plate-shaped portion includes a pair of surfaces and an inner medium, the pair of surfaces facing each other in a thickness direction of the main plate-shaped portion, the inner medium being provided between the pair of surfaces, and the inner medium having a corrugated shape in which ridges and grooves that extend in a specific direction are alternately arranged, and a direction in which the first folding portion extends and a direction in which the second folding portion extends intersect the specific direction.
 11. The base according to claim 9, wherein when the main plate-shaped portion is folded along the first folding portion and the one of the pair of second plate-shaped portions is caused to stand, a first side surface protruding portion protrudes in a first direction from the first folding portion, the first side surface protruding portion being a portion that is surrounded by the first virtual line, the pair of first side surface cuts, and the second side surface cut, and the first direction being a direction from the second folding portion toward the first folding portion and away from the first plate-shaped portion, when the main plate-shaped portion is folded along the second folding portion and the other of the pair of second plate-shaped portions is caused to stand, a second side surface protruding portion protrudes in a second direction from the second folding portion, the second side surface protruding portion being a portion that is surrounded by the second virtual line, the pair of third side surface cuts, and the fourth side surface cut, and the second direction being a direction from the first folding portion toward the second folding portion and away from the first plate-shaped portion, when the main plate-shaped portion is folded along the first folding portion and the one of the pair of second plate-shaped portions is caused to stand, each of two first bottom surface protruding portions protrudes in a third direction from the first folding portion, each of the two first bottom surface protruding portions being the portion that is surrounded by the pair of first bottom surface cuts, the second bottom surface cut, and the first virtual line, and the third direction being a direction opposite to a direction in which the one of the pair of second plate-shaped portions stands with respect to the first plate-shaped portion, and when the main plate-shaped portion is folded along the second folding portion and the other of the pair of second plate-shaped portions is caused to stand, each of two second bottom surface protruding portions protrudes in a fourth direction from the second folding portion, each of the two second bottom surface protruding portions being the portion that is surrounded by the pair of third bottom surface cuts, the fourth bottom surface cut, and the second virtual line, and the fourth direction being a direction opposite to a direction in which the other of the pair of second plate-shaped portions stands with respect to the first plate-shaped portion.
 12. The base according to claim 10, wherein the direction in which the first folding portion extends, the direction in which the second folding portion extends, and the direction in which the second side surface cut extends are orthogonal to the specific direction. 